BRITISH POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18237, 27 October 1919, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

A CURIOUS SITUATION. GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. By Telegraph—Fr*** Asiocratiou— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received October 26, 5.6 p.m.) LONDON, October 23. A curious situation has arisen in the House of Commons as a result of the Government's cleieat by 185 to .113 on an amendment to the Aliens Hill, tho amendment related to a clause providing that no alien should hold a pilotage certiiicate- Mr B. Shortt, Dome becretary, pointed out that such a clause would conflict with the Pilotage Act of 1913, and would detrimentally atieefc French pilots, and he proposed an amendment to meet the ditticulty. The Douse rejected the amendment, whereupon Mr Honor Law immediately moved an adjournment till Monday. Though he ridiculed _ tho idea that ine Government was going to resign, the debate showed that a majority ol members of the House of Commons desired more drastic measures against aliens than the Government was embodying in the Bill. The adjournment wilf enable the Government to reconsider the entire problem. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. I ■ - ' ' 1 ' ' ' • DISCUSSED BY HOUSE OF LORDS. Tho House of Lords discussed the financial situation. Lord Buckmaster said he favoured a large increase in income tax instead of a capital levy or levy on war profits, though all three were possible remedies, especially a tax on war profits, which would thus restore to the community money which should never have been lost.

Lord Milner said there was nothing in the position to justify talk of bankruptcy. The British financial situation was less serious than in any country except, perhaps, the United States and Japan. The panic which certain newspapers were fomenting was duo to an unjustifiable belief that the Government did not realise the gravity of the situation. It would be unwise to adopt ill-considered measures. The wolf was not at the door. A capital levy might do irreparable mischief to the recovery: of trade. Britain certainly ought nqt tq take more income tax from incomes under £I3OO. People with small fixed ■ incomes suffered most as the result of the Avar. Britain ought to stop the waste involved in tho unscientific use of raw materials, and should not bewail the reduced coal output when they might double its value by better use thereof. The country ought to develop electricity, wireless communication and new forms of transport. There was also a mine of wealth in some of the undeveloped colonies and protectorates. There was danger of getting inti a habit of regarding Britain as a poor country. Lord Milner added that he agreed its was only fair that people who became enormously rich as a result/of tho war should make a special contribution to relievo the community’s burden. He oould not say whether the execution of that principle would produce such con" fusion as to threaten Britain, and so many individual acts of injustice as to oompel its abandonment, but the pro* ject deserved careful study and consideration. The debate was adjourned. REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS. LABOUR SUPPORT WITHDRAWN. (Received October 26,11.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 24. Although it is admitted on all hands that the Government’s defeat will not precipitate a crisis, tho newspapers claim that it is a significant indication of the House of Commons’s determination to re-assert its independence and restore its control over the Executive The revolt was headed by over a hundred Coalition-Unionists, who demand the strengthening of restrictions upon aliens and the carrying out of election pledges, too many of which ‘have beenl neglected. The Government survived two bad divisions on Wednesday on tho same Bill, when the support of fiftythree Labour members and Independent Liberals practically saved them. Labour. however, refused to let yesterday’s opportunity slip, and voted against the Government, while Sir Donald M’Lean and other non-coalition Liberals did not vote.