PREMIER'S STATEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 313, 19 November 1910, Page 5

PREMIER'S STATEMENT.

BUDGET TO BE PUT THROUGH. PARLIAMENT TO BE PROROGUED London, Yesterday. The House of Commons was crowded when the Premier moved that Government business take precedence, and be confined to the Budget and discussions on the income tax, tea duty, sinking fund, and supplementary estimates, providing iM00,O0() for old age pensions until the end of March. Three days would be allotted to the Budget, and prorogation take, place on the following Saturday. It was intended next year to propose payment of members. An opportunity would be given next we°k to the Lords to decide their position, but they must accept or reject the Bill. lie had hoped the conference would reach a settlement, but it was now useless to attempt a settlement by agreement. He would make a definite statement regarding tne Osborne judgment next week. Mr Balfour said the course taken by Mr A.-quith was absolutely without precedent in the history of the country. He had chosen a month in which the register is old and the electorate in the least, satisfactory state, except in Scotland. lie expected the Government was afraid the Lords would make proposals agreeable to moderate men, and thus advised a dissolution.

Sir Edward Grey, replying to Lord Balcarres, said the Government would not be satisfied with the declaration of the Lords until discussed by Parliament.