THE BRITISH BUDGET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9084, 2 December 1909, Page 2

THE BRITISH BUDGET.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK SUPPORTS

(By Electbic Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press Association.)

LONDON, Dec.

The Budget debate was continued in the House of Lords, when there was another brilliant and crowded gathering. Lord Lansdowno's amendment was agreed to by 350 to 75. The Archbishop of York, in an eloquent maiden speech, strongly opposed the amendment. He quoted from the Bill to prove that no taxing was involved. It was a far cry from the taxation on land values to that policy denounced by Lord Rosebery. The mass of, workers of Britain, in matters wherein they had special knowledge and experience such as relating to the property of Building and Friendly Societies, might bo trusted to take an independent lino as against Socialism and its large promises and sounding phrases. In the extremes of hardship and hopelessness the extreme of Socialism was found. Ho warned the House of the consequences of disregarding the great constitutional principal enunciated by Lord James of Hereford. He deprecated adding to the. heated controversy observable in the country as calculated to endanger the House of Lords and its rightful position. Dealing with the carelessness shown by some in high positions he remarked that the tendency■was to be conciliatory to the House of Commons. Mr LloydGeorge's inflammatory Limehouse' speech was largely attributable to his Celtic temperament, "and," added the speaker, 1 "people knew what to think of those who run midst inflammable material, with crackers and squibs." If a serious conflict followed the present vote, who would be responsible ? It could not bo justly placed upon the House of Lords. Lord Curzon, remarking that the Budget was recommended in some quarters as an instrument of social reform, warmly repudiated the insinuation that anxiety I for social reform was any less keen on the Opposition than on the Government \ eide.

Earl Cawdor made, a powerful declaration in favour of the amendment, which was listened to with the closest attention. He said that if the House of Lords passed the Bill it would destroy for ever, or at all events lower, the authority of the House as a second Chamber. Whether or not it was dangerous, there was only one course open for them at this critical national juncture. Tho aim of the second Chamber was to guard the people against wild and rash legislation. Their Lordships would stultify themselves if they showed any legislation, but being satisfied that the duty of the second Chamber as guardians of the rights of tho people was to refuse to pass this Socialistic Budget, they could very well let the consequences take care of themselvOs. "The policy of the Government is to establish tho House of Commons absolutely independent of the check of the second Chamber upon its legislation," Earl Cawdor continued, "and that is not a very attractive proposal to a freedom-loving people." Earl Crowe, replying to criticism, dc-cla-red that tho Government was prepared at the proper moment to- , respond to tho challengo to defend the national defence policy. He admitted that _capital was a timid thing, and proceeded to argue that not the Budget but what the Opposition had said about the Budget had helped tho scare. The Government had never discussed lands nationalisation. The notion that the land would ever be owned by tho nation was as remote and fantastic as anything in Mr Wells' novels.

Continuing, Lord Crowe asked: What would the Colonies think of their Lordships' impending action? Australians would wonder what would happen if the Commonwealth finances wore handed over to squatters of tho older States. "Your Lordships," he added, "arc a most tragic blunder, and if the country condones and approves your decision, our fellowsubjects abroad will ask if the citizens of the Motherland are altogether fitted to exercise responsible Government. It is not a reformed House which is rejecting the Budget," he added. "Whether we sit here or on tho opposite side of tho House. as a result of the vote we must set ourselves to obtain guarantees fenced about and guarded by Statute, preventing that indiscriminate destruction of our legislation of which your work to-night will provide tho climax and the crown."

Lord Curzon, continuing, said that the Budget would increase poverty, unemployment, and distress.