BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9459, 31 May 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. , London, May 29.

The Finance Bill covers 62 pages, and contains 74 qiauses, Two or three concessions are embodied and others will probably be inserted in Committee. The Bill allows for decrements without mentioning A the scale, also for deductions in the increment valuations for buildings on the land and for goodwill and agricultural improvements. The reversionary duties do not apply to leases below 21 years. There is no duty for nndevelopment on public parks nor domestic gardens of less than one acre. A reduction is allowed for site values increased by the owner. The Bill slightly alters the original proposal in regard to hotel licenses, basing the charges on liquor sales, instead of making licenses equal to half the rent. The duties on petrol for motor oars are not altered, and there is no change in response to the protests of bankers and merchants against the proposed fine of £SO daily for persons failing to make income returns for supertax. Clubs are to make annual returns of liquors sold on which the imposts are based. Critics consider the working of the measure' will prove so complex that its adaptation will he left to a staff of permanent officials. The land clauses amount to an alteration of the whole system of land tenure, and will possibly induce the Lords to demand a separate Land Bill. The Council of the Surveyors’ Institution has issued an importaut memorandum against the method of taxing the increment on reversions of uncovered building lands and of nngotten minerals, and their effect upon enterprise and thrift.