BRITISH REFORMS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 January 1913, Page 5

BRITISH REFORMS

CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association—-By JEltctrie Telegraph—Copyright.)

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER. SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION. (Received Last Night, 9.55 o'clock.) LONDON, January 30. Tlie Hon H. H. Asquitli, speaking at Levin, said the government had placed on the Statute Book two of the greatest social reforms in the Old Age Pensions and insurance ever enacted, and provided for the maintenance of the unchallenged command of the sea, without adding a penny to the National Debt. The Government had actually diminished tho country's capital liabilities to a larger extent than any of its predecessors, without clogging the wheels of industry. Their relations with the overseas Dominions never more cordial, and the colonies were nobly co-operating in the common defence of the Empire. It wag obvious that the Unionists had abandoned Chamberlainism. By their recent tortuosities and gyrations the Unionistic party had made it difficult to grasp their present policy. No effective colonial preference was possible without food duties. Britain had nothing to gain and everything to lose by changing her fiscal policy. In reply to a question as to whether he desired taxation on land values, Mr Asquith said the matter was being considered in the Land Bill, but he was' unable to disclose its provisions.