BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8444, 17 May 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IMPERIAL FISCAL ISSUE.

I Received May 16, 8.43 a.m. LONDON, May 15. In the debate in the House of Commons on the second reading of the Finance Bill, Mr Austin Chamberlain moved an amendment to broaden the basis of taxation in the interests of social reform and national Imperial trade. The amendment was rejected fay 376 votes to 108. The Bill was then read a second time. Mr Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, warned the House that they were dealing with a world which was determinedly striving to divert commerce and industries from their natural channels to our disadvantage. He contended that if there were sufficient grounds for imposing duties for great national and Imperial objects, the mere fact that the duties possibly involved some small protective effect was no reason for rejecting them. Mr Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, replied: "We have not reached anything like the possible limit of taxation on a freetrade basis." He contended that the basis of our taxation was broader than that of any other country. He defended the fiscal liberty of the Motherland and the colonies. He was sure that after the frank and cordial interchange of opinions on preference, the Premiers and the Government agreed to differ, and members of the; Conference rose from the table better friends than they were when they sat down. Britain | would be mad, Mr Asquith affirmed, | to interfere with the colonies in the i full exercise of their fiscal autonomy, while the colonies would be acting Hike fools and would be flying in the teeth of their own economic system, if they allowed British manufacturers to undermine their native industries. IRISH COUNCIL BILL. Eeceived May 16, 9.22 a.m. i LONDON, May 15. Sir T. G. Esmonde, Nationalist member for Wexford North, declares that the Nationalists must accept Mr Birrell's Irish Council Bill, or must rupture their alliance with the Liberals. Many Ministerialists fear a fiasco, owing to powerful Irish clerical influence against the lay control of schools.