BY-ELECTION VERDICTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6965, 3 November 1909, Page 5

BY-ELECTION VERDICTS

EAYOUR THE BUDGET COUNTRY REVOLTING AGAINST LAND MONOPOLY. AND CRIPPLING LANDLORDISM. *y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 2, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 2. Mr Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, contributes a special article to tho current issue of tho “ Nation,” a Liberal weekly review of politics, and claims that five by-elections since the introduction of the Budget show that the majority of the voters have been in favour of tho Budget. The Bermondsey contest last week (in which 4726 votes were-polled by the Liberal and Socialist candidates against the 4278 cast for the successful one, Mr J. Dumphrcys, Unionist and Tariff, Reformer) was, Mr Lloyd-George points out, no exception to this rule.

“ The enthusiasm created by tho Budget,” the Chancellor declares, “ means that the country has risen in revolt against land monopoly.” He suggests that the new State valuations must be the basis for all plans of commercial purchase for municipalities, for the development of towns, and for State re-creation of rural life. Mr Lloyd-George adds; ‘‘We are freeing Ireland from crippling landlordism. Is nothing to be done for England ?”

ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS LORD CHARLES BERESFORD ASKED TO STAND. (Received November 2, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 2. Lord Robert Cecil has informed the council ‘of tho Marylebon© Constitutional Union of his acceptance of the invitation to stand for Blackburn (Lancashire) in order to prevent a split over tariff reform. His retirement has evoked a warm expression of regret. The council has resolved to invite Admiral Lord Charles Beresford to stand for Marylebonc. Some of Mr Richard Jebb’s supporters declare that there will still be a three-cornered fight. . TOWN PLANNING BILL LORDS’ AMENDMENTS CONSIDERED IN COMMONS. (Received November 3, 0.5 a.rn.) LONDON, November 2. In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr John Burns, President of the Local Government Board, accepted the bulk of the Lords’ amendments to the Town Planning Bill, but secured the rejection of some that he regarded as destructive, including changes in the procedure where it was intended, to make a compulsory purchase of land. Another amendment was disagreed with as a breach of privilege, as, on the Speakeris ruling, it was calculated to alter tho incidence of rating.