IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 92, 27 July 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

f —— THE DUTY ON TEA. PREFERENCE TO THE COLONIES. OPPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright i London, July 23. During the Budget debate, Mr. FitzAlan Hope's amendment making the duty on tea grown in the Empire .:;.i.pence was rejected by 188 to 145. Colonel Seely, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, objected to the measure, as it ■would' mean a loss to the Treasury of a million and a-quarter. He did not believe in the possibility of cementing the Empire h-r means of tariffs. Mr. Lvtteiton said preference would probably involve a food tax. but Unionists were pledged to compensate the class mainly affected. He cited Mr. LloydGeorge's justifying the heavier burdens of Ireland by the boon of old-age pensions. PUBLIC HOUSE ASSESSMENTS. •Received 1 July 27, 0.5 a.m. London. Juh\ 26. In the House of Commons the Finance | and Civil List Bills were read a first time, and the Appropriation Bill a third time. Mr. A. Chamberlain enquired regarding iMx. Lloyd-George's action in varying the assessment of public houses in Ireland. Tfie Finance Act prescribed by Mr. Griffiths assessed the valuation plus 20 per centum, but under the administrative order the addition will not exceed 5 per centum. Mr. Uoyd-George replied l that 20 per centum was merely possible as the maximum. The Griffiths valuation with 5 per centum added represented the fair •value. He added that publicans should be treated on the same basis throughout the United Kingdom. The regulations ought to be made by Parliament, not by the Department. THE NEW ZEALAND DESTROYERS. ■Mr. McKenna announced that the tenders for destroyers for service in New Zealand' waters would be invited in October. * WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. The Hon. E. Bath.ur.st suggested a referendum with a view of preventing a long and 1 acrimonious agitation on women's suffrage. Mr. Asquith replied that the proposal ■was novel. The Government had not yet "considered the question. v MINISTER OF THE AIR. Received July 26, 10.30 p.m. London, July 26. Several newspapers predict the creation of a portfolio of "Minister of Aviation."