BRITISH POLITICS.

Mataura Ensign, 3 May 1919, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

UNEMPLOYMENT GRANTS. ANTIDOTE TO 'BOLSHEVISM. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association) Received Mav 3, 10.90 a.m.' IAINDON, April 30. Jit.' Hon. G. Wardle (Parliamentary Secretary for Labor) in reply to the debate on the unemployment grants said that reports of abuses of tho donations were greatly exaggerated and the Government was, taking the necessary steps to .check then). The present system! of donations to civilians would end on November 24, The.donation proved an insurance against Bolshevism ant! had’been a, profound relief to hundreds of thousands faced with the spectre ol unemployment.

THE BUDGET DEBATE. LONDON; May. 1. • Sir • Donald- MeL-ean, resuming-, the Budget debate, said that the great spending departments, which* ..wen spreading devastation throughout l-ht country, must be curbed. Joseph Chamberlain had said, that complete Imperial preference would invariably entail taxes on food. ' • ’Mr Austen Chamberlain interposed. “The Government docs . not. intend further, food .taxes.’f,. Sir Donald 'MeLean coptinued by stating that groat’ trade wi Ji tho Dominions eonh.l not be developed without granting preference in corn, meat, ind wool. He regretted that lie must fight tho proposal. "Mr Araery- -defended the {lovernraefit’s proposal, and said that it was not a direct issue between Free Trade and Protection; it was a questior whether they wore .willing to promote intercourse, . under.standing, and do-, velopment, thus strengthening the Domifiions. If. was a worthy! {ml icy. to carry out, irrespective of' old party divisions. They tvere entering a new period of the Empire's history and might to deal with industrial, social and-economic, problems in a new spirit, aiming at wider unity. AMENDMENTS PROPOSED. LONDON, '-May 2. Brewers and distillers are organising opposition to the 'Budget beer and spirits duties. The Labor Party intends to move amendments to the Budget demanding hj levy on capital; the continuance ol the excess,’profits ’.tax, the withdrawn.’ of Imperial .prefetehee .and tho raising -of the income fax' exempt ion limit -tc £250.

GREAT FUNDING LOAN. LONDON, May 2. It- is reported that the Government will shortly issue a great, funding loai. in the form of per rent, 'consolidated stock. Tlio issue price will ho €BO. Tho loan will ive repayable by rnoam of a sinking fund which will bo operative in I%T. entirely redeeming the loan by 1077, CONTROL BEING RELEASED. LONDON, May 1. All Roods, nuts, and oils ami fats, have been freed from control, bufc the maximum price of copra has boon lived at €ld a ton.