Politics in Britain.

Manawatu Herald, 26 April 1902, Page 2

Politics in Britain.

TAXATION OF FLOUR AND WHEAT.

The Oobden Club baa issued a manifesto in which the newly-im-posed duties on grain and flout are made the text for an attack on the Government policy.. It is argued that the duties are equivalent to four millions wrested from the consumer. Some' Unionist members have confessed that the grain duty strained their loyalty to their party. Sir Michael Hioks-Beach (Chancellor of the Exchequer) replied that if peace came soon—concerning which nothing could be more premature than the rumours published by newspapers—all the new taxation and the loan would still be wanted for the increasing normal expenditure, which required increased, indirect taxation. Members of the London Chamber of Commerce connected with the corn trade have resolved that the true ratio of duty should be threepence per bushel on wheat, fourpenoe on flour and twopence on offals (or byproducts of milling). The House of Commons has by 288 votes to 197 carried the corn and flour duties. The Chancellor of the Exchequer agreed to the duty on offals being fixed at threepence. THE INCOME TAX., The House of Commons passed the increase in the income tax by 290 votes to 61. . The House of Commons has agreed to the London County Council'is tramway along Victoria Embankment. RESIGNATION OF A MEMBER. Colonel E. Hughes, M.P- ; ior Woolwich, has resigned on the ground of ill-health. Lord Charles Beresford will be a candidate for the vacant seat in the Unionist interest.