IN THE COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1917, Page 1

IN THE COMMONS.

Various Discussions. (Australian & N.Z. Cable As.oc a ion and Keuttr), Marco G. In the Ilouso of Lords Lord Finlay introduced a Bill depriving enemy prices-of their British titles Lord Strathspey drew attention to the hardship and injustice which the Dominions suffered by tho Double Income Tax, and Lord Denman supported. Lord Hylton, replying, said the Treasury would shortly re-eonsider the whole matter. He admitted the practical hardship hut the sames taxes were imposed on foreign countries, and if the hardship were removed the Exchequer musit suffer.

The colonies in ithis matter wanted to have the host of both worlds, and it must be remembered that the devlopmcnt of the Dominions had been secured in the first instance by British capital ; therefore the Dominions should consider the question of making some compromise. If the taxation of Colonial investments were cut off there would bo an abandonment of the principle of income tax in Britain for many years. Lord Rhondda's Bill for the treatment pf venereal diseases by qualified practitioners was read a first time. The Prince of Wales. LONDON, March 6. In the House of Commonus, Mr Bonar Law announced that lie Prince of Wales has resigned the chairmanship of the Pensions Committee, which the Pension Minister lias now controlled. He tributed the Prince on his peal for the welfare of our' soldiers and sailors, and so giving great promise of the part he would play in public affairs with increasing years. Mr Asquith associated himself in this tribute. Pensions LONDON, March 6. In the House of Commons Mr Barnes said that a new Royal Warrant propos'ed a fiat rate of pensions ranging from 27s to 77s weekly, according to circumstances, and irrespective of a man’s earning capacity. x He denied that Britain was behind other belligerents in her treatment of disabled, and 300,000 women were now receiving flie increased pensions. ■ Cheese Prices. LONDON March 6. In the Commons Mr. Will Thorne, M. P. asked whether the Government was paying 9Jd for New Zealand cheese though the dairy Asociatjon in August offered the entire output at B§d and the Government refused the offer; also whether the Government is aware that this difference represents a loss of £300,000. As a consquonee Canadian has risen to 17Gs. British to IGOs. while New Zealanu price is (325; also whether the Government intends to take action, because tho Canadian and British manufacturers are getting £SO per ton mure. Mr. Roberts replied that the fsets were generally as stated, but -the price asked in August was so much in excess of 1913 that the War Office felt it was not justified in accepting without further negotiations. Tre purchase of Colonial cheese for '< the Army and civilians is now in tho 1

hands of the Board of Trade, who are dealing in the matter in collaboration with the Colonial governments. • The Board hoped that this action would substantially reduce the prices, which were mainly due to the small quantities on tho market. LONDON, March 6. Mr John W. Dennis has been appointed unpaid director of the potatoes, vegetables and fruilt section or the Ministry. Post War Problems. LONDON, March 6. The Premier in receiving the Labour Party deputation upon the resolutions passed at the Manchester Conference in January relating to post' war problems, promised to submit them to the new reconstruction committee.

Repudiated. (Australian &N.Z. Oab’e Association) AMSTERDAM, March o. Prominent political leaders in Holland have repudiated the traitorous deputation to Count Beithman Hollwcg, and declare that when Flanders is free the so-called Council of Flanders will cease to exist. Dependence upon Germany is equivalent to tho loss of language oconnomic and hereditary feed|onm ana the Berlin declaration will merely unite closer the Flemish. Extreme Cold. COPENHAGEN, G. There has been extreme cold'in Scandinavia and Germany, in the past few days with twelve degress of frost in Berlin, and seventeen in Koenigisburg. COPENHAGEN, March 6. Eight persons were frozen to death in East Prussia ; and owing to the shortage of miners and transport difficulties several German towns are completely without coal. Violent snowstorms are preventing operations on the East front. The Dardanelles’ Report. LONDON, March, 6. The Dardanelles report will he issued on Thursday.