IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 216, 31 January 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE GOVERNMENT'S ACHIEVEMENTS. SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. Received 30, 9.55 p.m. London. January 30. Mr. Asquith, speaking at Levin, said that the Government had placed on the Statute Book two of the greatest social reforms—old age pensions and insurance —ever enacted. They had provided for the maintenance of the unchallenged command of tlw sea without adding a penny to the public debt. They had, indeed, actually diminished the country's capital liabilities to a larger extent than any of their predecessors, without clogging industrial progress. The relations overseas were never more cordial. The colonies were nobly co-operating in the common defence. It was obvious that the Unionists had abandoned Chamberlainism. The recent tortuosities and gyrations of the Unionist Party made it difficult to grasp their present policy. No effective colonial preference was possible without food duties. Britain had nothing to gain and everything to lose by changing her fiscal' policy. In reply to a question as to whether he desired taxation on land values, Mr. Asquith said that the matter was being considered in framing the Land Bill. He was unable to disclose its provisions.