BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9142, 11 May 1908, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE BUDGET CRITICISED. Press Association —Copyright. Loudon, May 9. The Spectator says that the Budget discourages the working classes from making adequate provision for old age. So complicated, harassing and unpopular a. pension scheme will not, the Spectator thinks, last two years. Mr Asquith’s Budget is unabashed Micawberism. Such juggling is only a Deferred Payment Bill both as regards pensions and iucreas' 1 naval expenditure. Auy succeed i g Government is certain to have recourse to tariff taxation, thus destroying free trade. The Telegraph says the Budget is a huge evasion and an immense effort to deceive the nation. While the cost of introducing a policy of stupendous weight will apparently only be £1,200,000 for the first year, the second year it will cost six millions, and ultimately the cost will amount to nearly thirty millions. CRIMES ACT REPEAL SILL. ■ Received May 10, 4.8 p.m. Loudon, May 0. In the House of Commons Mr H. Burke’s Bill, providing for the repeal of the Grimes Act, ISST, 'was read a second time by 201 to 77, and referred to a ■ Committee. The Bill is not expected to pass. Mr Birrell declared that the Act was intolerable and ought to be repealed. There had only been thirteen cases of cruel and vindictive boycotting, and 100 of a lesser rt egres. He

denounced cattle driving as reprehensible and. illegal. He relied on a great land • purchase scheme as the remedy. Ho did not anticipate terrible things for Ireland. Mr W. H. Long said that while' the Government was hesitating a serious uprising was possible. It was better to keep in existence the weapon already provided. MR CHURCHILL RETURNED. The Irish suffragettes at Dundee maintained persistent bellringing, which greatly interfered with Mr Churchill, who, while refusing to apologise, explained that he did not intend to reflect on the personal character of the Suffragettes. The result of the election was : Mr Winston Churchill, 7070; Mr Baxter, (Conservative), 4370; Mr Stuart, (Labour) 4104; Mr Scrymgsoijr, (Prohibitionist), Goo.