BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9613, 6 October 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

—»■■ -• CONSERVATIVES AND UNIONISTS.

FUSION WANETD. By United Press Association—Elcotrio Telegraph Copyright. Received October 5, 8.5 a.m. LONDON. October 4. With a view to facilitating a fusion between the Conservative and Unionist parties in Portsmouth, Lieuten-ant-General Sir E. T. Hutton (Conservative) has decided to relinquish his candidature for the Portsmouth seat in the House of Commons. THE BUDGET BATLTE. Received October 5, 9 15 p.m. LONDON, October 5. Lord Rosebery declined an invitation received from a large and influential body of business men to address a meeting at Birminhgam on i the Budget. He states that under the present circumstances be does not propose tu make any more speeches on the Budget. "I have given the country my responsible judgment," said Lord Rosebery. "Speeches of amplification and reply would simply involve my return to political controversy. As for mere flatulence of personal abuse with which in the main my speech has been met that will soon blow itself harmlessly away." NEW LICEN ING DUTIES. A STRENUOUS DEBATE. Received October 5, 10.10. p.m. LONDON, October 5. There was a strenuous debate in the House of Commons on the schedule dealing with the new licensing duties. The Nationalists hotiy complained that the distillers and small brewers of Ireland would be ruined. Mr Asquith replied that there were small brewers in England, and it was impossible to discriminate between England and Ireland i The Nationalists voted Egainst the Government throughout. The Government's majority once fell to 35. . I In view of the many changes in ' the Finance Bill, the Hon. D. Lloyd-George, (Chancelor of the Excehquer, has promised to submit a revised statement of revenue which the Government hope to collect under the Budget.