NEARLY A DEFEAT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 761, 9 March 1910, Page 7

NEARLY A DEFEAT.

"Talked out." a "fair wages" amendment BY LABOUR, UNIONISTS READY TO SUPPORT. By f elegraph-Presß Associatioft-CbpyHffht (Rec. March 8, 11.30 p.m.) London, March 8. While the House of Commons was debating the Army Estimates, it appeared at one stage as if a Government defeat was about to take 'place through a La-bour-Unionist, joining of forces. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, Labour member tor Leicester, proposed a motion urging that a, fair wages clause be instituted throughout the Government service. Mr.■ C. T.i Mnllett'(Liberal M.P. for Plymouth) admitted on behalf of the Government that the War Office sometimes paid below trade union rates'.

The Unionists promised Mr. Macdonald support, and the defeat bf the Government seemed at hand, but the Liberals talked but the motion. ' FINANCIAL MUDDLE. PAYING INTEREST ON THEIR OWN MONEY. : (Rec. Maroh 8, 11.30 p.m.) Lorldtm, March S. Replying in ,the. House of Commons to Lord Balcarres (Unionist) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. LloydGeorge, stated that the . Bank of i England was deducting income tax from dividends with the Treasury's concurrence, but the deductions were not paid into the Exchequer. He added that he was taking, the advice of the- law officers as to whether, income tax payers who paid the ■ tax, 1 believing that. the Government Would carry: the Budget before March 3±i would be entitled tb refunds; The "Daily Mail,", commenting, says: "It is evident' that the country is paying ,£2OOO daily as interest upon its own money vrhtbh the batiks are lending to the.GovernniSht.": ..'•''

income tax resolutions. ministry Will not Split them '-' : .'FROM BUDGET. , •■■ (Rec. March !),' 0.40 a.m.) London, March 8. The. House Of Loads' passed the War Loan (Transvaal) Redemption Bill.' During the debate on the second reading .of the Teniporafy Borrowing Bill, Lord Larisdflwne (Unionist Leader) said that the Government had asked the House of I/ords, as a special favour, to pass two Bills at a single sitting, yet would not stoop to ask for a power which would render' the present, borrowing unnecessary. " ■ . ■

.. Lord Crewe,. Secretary for the Colonies, described tho Opposition's offer to facilitate financial measures as,an olive brahch shot from a' catapult. The two Houses were-in; a. state of warV The .'House of Lords would undoubtedly. like , to win back'the practice of splitting : the Budget ilitp different Bills, but the House of .Commons'- was not going, to agree. Lord ■ Cromer (Unionist 'Free-trader) said tho. Government: had debtors who .were willing to pay in money,' yet the Government replied:;"!'prefer to borrOW) imd insist oh not being paid." The prosent deficit in the income, tax was seventeen millions, .On . which ' the'' -interest amounted to il2oo daily.

: ; : A MINISTER; RETURNED. " REDUCED MAJORITY IN VACATED SEAT;;. .;■:... , i . (Rec. Mar6h 8, .10.15 p.m.) ■ ;■■ ■■ ■ '. ■ London, March 1 8. Lie'Ut.-C6l. Seely, Ullder-Secfetary for the Colonies, who• was defeated in.'the January- oledtion .in. the Aborcfdmby; diA'ision of Liverpool, has been returned for ■ the Ilkeston division 6f Derbyshire, which sent was vacated for hiih by Sir W. B. 'i'oster'i The figures are': \. Lieut.--C()l. Seely (C.) ...i..;,...,:..;;. '10,204 Mr, Wright (Unionist) :..:...:.:..... 6,872 L. majority ~.:.,..::..:„....:;,.,; 3,332 [At. .the Jahna?y -election Sir W. B: Fdsteij's Liberal majority was 4200.]

SHORTER PARLIAMENTS. STATEMENT. BY PRIME - MINISTER. (Rec. March 8, 5 p.m.) ','.'. London, March 8. Th 6 Pfinie Minister, Mr. Asduith, has ahhoiinced ■ that the. resolutions which-,he Will submit on March 29, dealing with the, veto of the. House' of Lords, Will also include proposals for the. shortening of the life of Parliament. "■ \•' [Mr: Asquith some time ago announced that,'. : while limiting .the. veto of the House bf Lords, the Government would be prepared, to shorten .the life of .the House of Commons, and that he personally ; wMId not be'afraid of four/years instead of the- present seven. The shorter Parliament proposal is a counter. to the Unionist picture:of an old.and decrepit House, of Common's, out of touch with the electors, riding rough-shod over 'a vetoless band of Peers, the people's guardians:] .' •■''■■

country Not ripe Tb abolish LORDS: A LABOUR ADMISSION. THE'PARTY WANTS THE BUDGET. Londdri, Atafcil 7. Mr. Philip Snowdeh, Labour M.P; for BlackbUrn, and a prominent member of his! party, spWkliig at Cafdiil', said , the cdUntTy was not ripe for the abolition bf the House of. Lords, and that any Liberal party attempting to make rccohRtrhctibii bf that HbUsc'i doibillant. eltictioh issile Would be driven into the wilfor another generation. Any reform of the House of Lords would make the Seddfld Chamber infinitely stronger agaiilst democratic progress. ,! Thd Lahdnf party,-" he.added, ''wants the Budget."

Votes polled in election. Lohdohy Mafbh 7. The-votes Jolted-at the recent general blectibri numbered 0,6(57)810 out of a possible .Woo.flin.