BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9450, 21 May 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

HOUSE OF LORDS. United Press Association—By Blaotrio Telegraph —Copyright. London, May 20. Lord Roberts’ Bill, which provides foramational four years’ training with* the right of service‘.between the ages of 19 and 30 in the Territorial Force, was read a firstStime. Lord Clifford withdrew his Foreign and Colonial Meat Marking Bill. Earl Carrington opposing it on the ground that it was undesirable and impracticable. The Honse of Commons, by 204 to 104 votes, accepted the House of Lords’ amendments of the Indian Councils Bill.

LABOUR EXCHANGES. Inn the Honse of Commons, Mr Winston Ohnrchill explained the Bill which he is to introduce to-day for the purpose of establishing early next year labour exchanges. The cost, he said, would be £200,000 per annum at the outset, and then £170,000. The country would he divided into ten divisions, each with a clearing house and London supplying the National Clearing House. He proposes to establish between thirty and forty first-class exohange•in towns of a hundred thousand inhabitants, upwards of 45 in second class towns (of between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants) and a number of sab-offices in smaller towns. Advisory committees will be appointed in the chief centres whereon workmen and employers may meet in equal numbers with Impartial permanent officials and a chairman. The Government scheme provides for compulsory contributions to those out of employment. Mr Churchill next explained that the Act would become operative in 1911 for the selected trades, representing million adults and covering the worst half of the. field of unemployment. Slightly under 6d per week per man would be raised by contributions from workmen, employers and the State. Men going to the exchange would be given a job or receive benefit pay.

Mr F, Smith, member for Liverpool, the Bill. Mr A. Henderson, Labour member for Durham, warmly thanked Mr Churchill and remarked that the Labour parties were doing the right work.

The Bill will* be carried out by instalments. ' THE DEATH DUTIES. The debate on the Budget has been resumed. The death duties resolution was severely criticised on the ground that it was taking money from capital required to promote industry and agriculture. The Attorney-General declared that the proper time for lamentation would be when the expenditure was proposed—not when taxes were voted.