BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9426, 23 April 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

TAXING UNIMPROVED VALUER

United Press Association —By Elec, trie Telegraph—Copyright. London, April 22. The Times states that the Cabinet will reject"the proposal for a tax on the capital value of land owing to the inadequate revenue obtainable and the difficulty of distentangling site value from that of buildings and improvements. lu the House of Commons Mr F. W. Jowett moved on behalf of the Labourites that an enemy’s merchantmen other than the carriers of contraband should be immune from capture. The debate was adjourned. WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. LONG PROMISED BILL * INTRODUCED. Received April 38, 8.5 a.m. London, April 22. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith has introduced a Bill for the disestablishment of the English Church in Wales in 1911. The Bill excludes the Welsh Bishops from the House of Lords, and appoints firstly, until 1915. a Welsh Commission to deal with church property ; secondly, a Council of Wales appointed by the County and other Councils to receive the revenues, subject to specified interests; thirdly, a representative church body to receive all, the cathedrals, churches and chapels of ease, bishops’ palaces, parsonages and closed burial grounds also all benefactions dating from the 16th century.

Mr Asqnith explained that property vested in the Council of Wales would be devoted to hospitals, provision for nurses for sick poor; public halls, institutions and technical and higher education according to the County Council schemes. Welsh members acclaimed the Bill especially the new feature of a Welsh Council, believing fresh duties would ultimately be entrusted to the Council, making it a powerful central authority dealing with all Welsh matters.

The Unionists in opposing the Bill denounced its introduction before the Vaughan-Williams Commission had reported, hot strongly donbted whether the measure would proceed beyond the second reading.