BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9609, 1 October 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE BUDGET DEBATEFINANCE BILL IN COMMITTEE. A NEW CLAUSE. United Press'cissociation— By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received September 30, 8.15 a.m. LONDON, September 29. The House of Commons adopted Mr Llojd-George's new clause in the Finance Bill, imposing a duty of a shilling in the pound on the rental value of all rights to work minerals, and of all mineral wayleaves. The Opposition emphasised the fact that minerals were frequently worked by owners, who, under the Bill, would pay tax what they would have been receiving as royalty in case some one else had been getting the minerals. Such men would be at a disadvantage as compared with rivals who leased minerals. In response to appeals on behalf of the builJing trade, Mr LloydGeorge undertook to keep exempt common clay, gravel, chalk, and sand from the operation of the clause, Mr Bonar Law, Conservative mem- 1 ber for Dulwlch, contended that the claim on behalf of coal and other raw material was equally just and urgent.

IRISH LAND PURCHASE BILL

Received September 30, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, September 29. The debate on the second reading of Mr Birrell's Irish Land Purchase Bill has begun in the House of Lords The Earl of Crewe, Colonial Secretary, oc behalf of the Government, explained that the compulsory purchase proposals were intended to be of limitediapplication. The Earl of Dunraven moved the rejection of the Bill, on the ground that its financial basis would be disastrous to Ireland. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Opposition leader in the Lords, severely criticised the Bill, but offered to join with the Government in making it a reasonable meaoure by substantial amendments in committee. He denied tbe need of compulsion, adding that the Irish Land Commissioners already had more land than they could handle or pay for.