BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 182, 6 September 1909, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE LIQUOR DUTIES. By Cable.—Press Asseciation.—Copyright London, September 3. In the House of Commons an exceedingly animated debate ensued largely betm-eon the occupants of the Front Benches on the new scale of liquor duties. The Government's majority in one instance fell to 78.

GOVERNMENT NEARLY DEFEATED. MANY LIBERALS ABSENT. NATIONALISTS TAUNTED. "PENALISING THE TRADE." Received 5, 5.5 p.m. | London, September 4. Several London Liberal members vainly urged for better treatment of the liquor trade, emphasising that under the old duties the county of London pays £IOO,OOO, which under the new duties will be £BOO,OOO.

During the Budget debate in the ear'y hours of the morning the Ministers escaped defeat during several divisions only by the abstention of the Nationalists, whose attitude had been more than critical. The Government's majority on one division was 4'J.

llcforc one of the divisions, Hie Chief Liberal Whip crossed the floor of the House and conferred with Mr; Redmond. To this incident llr. Balfour referred yesterday afternoon, taunting the Nationalists with selling themselves too cheaply. Many of the Liberal members arc away on holiday. Urgent messages were despatched with a view to securing a better attendance next week. The Opposition stated in the course of tho debate that Mr. Lloyd-George ihopes by the new scheme to extinguish a number of licenses, and the fact that none of the license-holders arc compensated is the penalty for the non-accept-ance of the Licensing Bill df 1908. Sir Edward Carson, with the approval of, the 'whole of the Unionists, moves an amendment to provide compensation upon the discontinuance of business by reason of the increased duties.

TUB ATTITUDE OP THE LORDS. ] REJECTION OF THE BUDGET ANTICIPATED. Received September 0, 12.30 a.m. London, September 4. The Westminster Gazette admits there is' a growing assumption that the House of Lords will reject the Budget, but £h° paper is convinced the peers' action will lie reluctant. The precise strength of tlie anti-Budget members cannot at present be ascertained. .The Gazette adds that the political temperature is decidedly changeable, but says that Lord Lansdowne may be trusted tu recommend what is the least perilous thin'! in all the circumstances from a Unionist standpoint.