BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 199, 27 September 1909, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

UNDERESTIMATING tSi'IIUT HE VENUE. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyrigiw LONDON, Sept., 24. During an all-night sitting oil the spirit duties debate, the Government's majority fell to 13 owing to the Nationalists joining the Opposition.

Sir W, J. Bull, Conservative member for Hammersmith, emphasised that whereas Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, hud estimated a decline ill the consumption of 1.3 per cent., the withdrawals at the l>ond from May to August declined 55'/ a per cent., including all anticipatory clearance in April of 20 per cent. Thus, instead of u gain of £1,(100,000, Mr. Lloyd-George would experience a loss of C 1,700,000. .Mr. Lloyd-George admitted he had under estimated the immediate effect of duties in reducing the consumption, but still he anticipated a subs'tantial increase in the revenue for the whole year.

EFFECT ON BUILDING OPERATIONS LONDON", Sept., 24. ' Members of thirty South London building lirms state that since the introduction of the Budget, -2.101) persons have been rendered idle in their district. HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING. LONDON, Sept., 24. The Housing mid Town Planning Bill lias passed through its cummittce stages. The Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies feared that the amendment would destroy the value of the measure.

GENERAL ELECTION FORESHADOWED. Received September 20, 5.5 p.m. liondon, September 25. The Daily Chronicle and Daily News (the leading Liberal organs) state that it is probable a general election will be held in January. BUDGET CLAUSES ALL PASSED BUT ONE. Received September 20, 5.5 p.m. London, September 25. The House of Commons' agreed to all the clauses of the Budget, except clause 71, relating to the reduction of the permanent annual charge of the National Debt, the discussion of which has been I postponed.