MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1919, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

I THE FINANCE BILL MSOUSSION ON PREFERENTIAL TARIFF. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 2, 12.30 a.m. London, 'May 20. Mr. Acland, in the House of Commons, moved the rejection of the Finance Bill, objecting to the preferential tariffs and the reduction of the excess profits tax without similar reduction in the workers' income-tax, after the failure to introduce a capital levy. Mr. Austen Chamberlain defended the preference, and said that Britain had derived advantage by the existing Dominions' preference. He condemned a capital levy, which would create a feeling of fear and insecurity among those to whom they must appeal to put the country's finance on a sound footing. He hoped that their allies by 1920 would be in a position to shoulder some of their debts, also that their enemies would begin to make contributions. Mr. Clynes said that taxation alone could not carry the immense war burdens. He repudiated the idea that friendship with the Dominions would be improved by preference- It would give some colonial traders vast profits,.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

A SINN FEIN M.P. SENTENCED FOR SEDITION. Received June 1, 5 5 p.m. London, May 30. Beasley, a Sinn Feiner and member of the House of Commons for East Kerry, has bean sentenced to two years' imprisonment for seditious speeches. When arrested he had in his possession notes upon methods of cutting railways and putting locomotives out of action.—Aus. 5.7.. Cable Assoc.

PROPOSED CA/'ITAL LEVY. Received June 1, 11.5 p.m. London, May 20. Mr. Donald McLead, in the House of Commons, urged the appointment of h committee to inquire into the proposed capital levy, providing data for a decision before next Budget. He regarded the Imperial preference proposals as an an. aemic effort, and hoped the Chancellor would gather courage to introduce a scheme of more lasting importance to the whole Empire.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.

GREAT IMPERIAL EXHIBITION. deceived June 1, 11.6 p.m. London, May 30. Lord Sydenham, on behalf of the British Empire League, tendered a luncheon to an important gat lit ring of official commercial men for the purpose of inaugurating a great Imperial exhil ition in London in 1921. Mr. Hughes, Sir Joseph Ward and prominent business men supported the proposal. The league was instructed to approach the Government on the matter.—Aus. and N.Z Gable Assoc. • TRADE COMBINATIONS. Received June 1, 11.5 p.m. London, May 20. The British Ministry of Reconstruction's committee on trusts, after investigation of the iron and steel industry, reports a remarkable wa.'-time increase in trade combinations for restricting competition and controlling prices.. The committee recommends machinery similar to that of the Dominions and the United States to investigate the operation of the trusts and combines.—Aus. and N.Z Cable Assoc. MINERS AND THE INCOME TAX. Received June 1, 115 p.m. London, May 30. Ihe South Wales miners' conference passed a resolution requesting members to refuse to pay the income tax until" the exemption was raised to £250, urging the Miners' Federation to act similarly.— Aus, and N.Z. Cable Assoc, EGYPTIAN PROPAGANDISTS. Received June 2, 12.30 a.m. London, May 20. ine police raided a room in a London hotel during the Egyptian Association'? meeting, and found fourteen young Egyptians, mostly medical students. Documents were seized, but no arrests were made. The association has been sending literature to_ members of Parliament, charging British troops in Egypt with misdU^ t ,, towardß the natives.—Aus. and K Cable Assoc.