MR ASQUITH'S PROUD BOAST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1913, Page 5

MR ASQUITH'S PROUD BOAST.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS

DONE

UNIONIST "TORTUOSITIES."

(Received Jan. 30, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30 Mi- Asquith, speaking at Levin, said that the Government had placed on the Statute Book two of the greatest social reforms—old age pensions and insurance—which had ever been enacted. The Government had provided for the maintenance of an unchallenged command of the sea, with out adding one penny to the National Debt. It had actually diminished the country's capital liabilities to a larger extent than any of its predecessors, without clogging industries. The relations with the Overseas Dominions had never been more cordial, and the colonies were nobly co-opera-ting in common defence. It was obvious that the Unionists had abandoned Chamberlainism. The recent "tortuosities" and gyrations of the Unionist party made it difficult to grasp their present policy. No effective colonial preference was possible without food duties. Britain had nothing to .gain arid everything to lose by changing her fiscal policy. In reply to the question whether he desired taxation on land values, Mr Asquith said that the matter was being considered in the Land Bill, and he was unable to disclose its provisions.