BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

MR. HUGHES' VISIT. , PRESS COMMENTS, Times iM Sydney Sua SeryicSS. London, March IS. The German press is commenting on Mr. Hughes' visit. The Cologne Gazette says: "We are not anxious. The English and Australians are onl.v able to strike German trade a blow similar to their victories on land. In economic matters they should always beware of a Gallipoli. Judged by Mr. Hughes' speech England now contains ,3otliing but Churchills." 1 The Westminster Gazette says: "Mr. luglies said nothing with which we cannot all agree, but there is danger that %is splendid aspirations may have interested certain schools as an endorsement of their narrow policies." The Pall Mall Gazette says: "The speech is the boldest, most imaginative, and clearest-sighted utterance on an important question since Mr. Chamberlain retired,' 5 DOUBLE INCOME-TAX^ London, March 19. The Double Income-Tax Committee is conferring whether first to approach Mr. Hughes or to submit a proposal direct to Mr. McKenna. Meanwhile it is preparing a memorandum to members of Parliament before the introduction of the Budget, pointing out that Australia and New Zealand have their own war taxes, and it is considered unfair that the same individual should pay two war income-taxes, and suggesting that the tax ought only to be paid where it is earned. Some members of the committee suggest a scheme whereby- double taxpayers should be divided into<two classes, (a) Britishers who have never left England but have invested their money abroad, and (b) Australians who have migrated to England. It is estimated that the latter pay two millions in England and the former probably ten times that amount. They suggest a scheme whereby the Imperial Government agrees to forego the tax on the (b) class, while the (a) class will pay the tax in one country, that amount to be divided between the Commonwealth and Gtreat Britain. It is feared that, if some arrangement of this kind is not made the (a) class may withdraw their capital, as many are now paying more than 10s (?) tax on their overseas income. It is understood that Messrs McKenna and Hughes are both strongly disinclined to forego any tax during the war. MARRIED SOLDIERS. A NEW PROPOSAL. London, March 19. Mr. Thomas, M.P., addressing the railwaymen at Chester, ,said that the only solution of the grievances of the married men was a bold Government statement that if they were required to fight for others' homes the Government would protect theirs. More talk about a moratorium was only playing with the question. If the country was worth fighting for, soldiers had the right to expect that the Government would care for those left behind. • "A HOLLOW FRAUD." Received March 20, 9.25 p.m. London, March 13. Mr. Thomas continued: "Agitators for the extension of conscription are weakening our cause and encouraging our enemies by attempting to undermine the Government and create an impression that we are governed by twenty-three brainless individuals. These agitator® had secured dominion militarism in a limited form, but if they think it ensjr to extend their vicarious principle they will quickly know how we fought cosscription. The unmaried men will be reinforced by many who now see what a hollow fraud and sham the whole business was." ; WAR STORES. INEFFICIENT MANAGEMENT. London, March 19. The Auditor-General, in a report on the army stores accounts, discloses several instances of muddle, including £2650 paid for partly worn clothing which was found unwearable and sold to the same firm for £4OO. A further £4700 worth was destroyed. IMPERIAL UNITY. DOMINIONS SHOULD HAVE A VOICE. P.c-ceived March 21, 12.55 a.m. London, March 20. Mr. Sidney Low, the well-known journalist. approves of the suggestion that the Dominions shall be given representation in the Cabinet. He declares that jt is impossible to devise a complete Imperial Constitution, organised on a representative parliamentary basis, to meet the emergencies of the present and the immediate fuime, and it must he preceded by an Impeiial Convention for deliberations and negotiations. Meanwhile the Cabinet has largely superseded the United Kingdom Parliament, and has become a consultative Council of State, representing all parties. He believes that this is a transitional stage toward a true Empire Constitution, and it ought to strengthen its Imperial character and give the overseas communities an effective share in the British military policy and international relations, inviting each Dominion to send a Minister, with or without portfolio.