THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 60

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

THE LICENSING BILL.

QUESTION OF COMPENSATION.. LONDON , May 11. Mr A. J. Balfour, Prime Minister, in a letter to a correspondent, deprecated the anti-Semitic feeling as a grave national misfortune. He declared that the Aliens Bill was not aimed at the Jews, but at undesirable aliens, irrespective of nationality or creed. In the House of Commons the debate is proceeding on the Licensing Bill, which is based on the principle that the trade must compensate publicans whose licenses are taken away solely on the ground of public policy; the money to be raised on a basis of the annual value of licensed premises by a graduated duty imposed, ranging from £1 to £l5O a year, the maixmum amount to be raised per year to be £1,000,000. Mr T. Burt, Radical member for Morpeth, moved the rejection of the Bill. The Government declined to entertain a time limit for compensation. The Hon A. Lyttelton, Colonial Seoretary, contended that extinction without compensation was unfair to the licensees of well-conducted houses. Extraordinary interest is being taken in the Licensing Bill. Eight sacks of postcards and circulars were delivered in the House of Commons yesterday, chiefly appeals from temperance, teetotal and religious propagandists. LONDON, May 12. In the House of Commons the Licensing Bill was read a second time by 353 votes to 196. The majority included forty-three Nationalists. : LONDON, May 12. In the House of Commons, Mr A. Henderson, Liberal-Unionist member for Penkridge (West Staffordshire) moved, and Mr C. Fenwick, Radical member for Wansbeck (Northumberland), seconded, a motion in favour of the payment of a reasonable stipend to members of the House of Commons and returning officers’ expanses. The motion was negatived by 231 votes to 155. Sir Edward Grey, Radical member for Berwick (Northumberland), supported the motion. The Right Hon A. Graham Murray, Secretary for Scotland, declared that the principle would lead to corruption and strike a blow at free, voluntary service in Parliament. LONDON, May 13. Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, said be was confident of the (ultimate triumph of hils proposals. He strongly defended the Government, but said he recognised it may have spent its popularity, and was destined to suffer for its virtues by a temporary reverse at next election, which ought to come within reasonable time. He asked Lord Rosebery and the Duke of Devonshire to define the exact proof they required of the colonies’ genuine desire for mpfeual preference with the Motherland. “Our commercial rivals,” said Mr Chamberlain, “are plying the colonies with preference schemes, and!

the Colonies cannot be expected to ever hold aloof from the advantages they offer by clinging to the skirts of our indecision.” Mr Chamberl'ain said he doubted if the fiscal question would be the issue at next election.