BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9160, Issue 9160, 9 March 1910, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

DEBATE ON THE ARMY ESTIMATES. GOVERNMENT'S NARROW ESCAPE. (By Electbio Telegraph—Copyright.) (peb presh absuoiation.j LONDON, March 8. In the House of Commons, during a debate on the Army Estimates, Mr Haldane eaid the present deficiency in horses was 120,000. The Imperial General Staff scheme was being developed by General G. W. Nicholson, who was receiving weekly communications with regard to organisation. He hoped Lord Kitchener's visit to Australia would bear practical , fruit. Major-General Sir G. A. French was going on a similar mission to Canada. Mr Ramsay Mac Donald proposed a motion urging that a fair wages clause bo instituted throughout the Government service. Mr C. E. Mallet admitted that the War Office sometimes paid below trade union rates. The Unionists promised Mr Ramsay Mac Donald support and the defeat of the Government seemed imminent, but the Liberals talked out the motion. Replying to Lord Balcarres, Mr LloydGeorge stated that the Bank of England was deducting income tax from dividends with the Treasury's concurrence, but the deductions were not paid into the Exchequer. He added that he was taking advice of law officers as to whether income tax payers who paid, believing the Government would carry the Budget before the 31st March, were entitled to refunds. J THE FINANCES. LONDON. March 8. The House of Lords has rmssed the War Loan Redemption Bill. During the debate on thesecond loading of the Temporary Borrowing Bill, Lord Lansdowne said the Government asked the House of Lords as a special favour to pass the two Bills at a single sitting, yet would not stoop to ask for the powor which would render the present borrowing unnecessary. Lord Crewe described the Opposition's offer to facilitate financial measures as an olive branch shot from a catapult. The two Houses were in a state of war, and the House of Lords would doubtless win. Lord Cromer said the Government had debtors willing to pay the money, yet replied. "I prefer to borrow, and insist on not being paid." The present deficit of income tax was seventeen millions, whereon the interest was £1200 daily. A BYE-ELECTION. LONDON, March 8. The Ilkoston (Derbyshire) re-election resulted:—Colonel Seely (Lib) 10,304; Wright (U) 6872. [Sir Walter Foster was elected for Ilkeston at the general election, but resigned to allow Col. Seely, late Undersecretary for the Colonies, to contest the seat.]