BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 88, 10 May 1909, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

OPERATION UK THE BUDGET PROPOSALS. Received 9, 4.30 p.m. London, May 8. Notwithstanding tlic week's debate, the operation of several of the Budget proposals is still obscure, especially ihe operation of the increment land proposals. Representatives of the licensed trade slate that whereas Mr. Lloyd-George's Budget provided for £4.200.000, the increase from licensed spirits would really | produce eleven millions. Hotel licenses have advanced enor-

mously— that of the Savoy Hotel by £0250, and the Ritz by ,£4250. Wuney and Coomhes' tied houses' licenses amount to £140,000 and Whitebrcnds' to £42,000. The General Omnibus Company's petrel will cost an additional £37,000 a year. Many of the taxica.b drivers are striking. " INEQUITABLE AND VINDICTIVE.'' MR. BALFOUR'S CRITICISM. . Received 9, 4.30 p.m. London, May 9. At a meeting of the Primrose League, Mr. Balfour declared the Budget proposals to be inequitable and vindictive, and based on no principle. On the other hand, they were calculated in the long run to injure the whole productive capacity of the country. The proposals regarding the income tax diminished Britain's financial capacity to meet the stress of every European conflict. \ -