IMPERIAL POLITICS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13901, 12 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

PROTESTS AGAINST THE BUDGET. Press Association-Bv Tele«rapli-Copvriglit London, .May 10. Hotel proprietors are protesting against; the enormous increase l in licenses, urging the taxation of drinks at 4-id in the £. A similar method is proposed for clubs which at present pay 3d in the

Mr Lloyd George, in an interview witli a representative of the '• Daily Mail," said that the taxation calculations were greatly exaggerated. He did not desire to strangle respectable hotels, and urged that the public await the details of the Financial Bill. • THE LIQUOR DITTIES. Received 11.12 p.m.,' May 11th. LONDON, May 11. The House of Commons discussed the liquor resolution covering forty excise duties. An animated discussion took place on the' lines of public criticism. ' The Opposition warmly resented the Government's attempt to closure the debate.

'■Mr Lloyd George announced that the Cabinet were considering a new scheme of hotel and grocers' licenses. In defending the brewers' licenses, he .stated that henceforth they would pay 23d per barrel of 76 gallons, whereas , the brewers' nrofits were £lO ]4s per barrel. ■

The " Times " says that the Budget is undergoing' considerable modification as a result of the criticism since its introduction. The Cabinet had reconsidered the diversion of the old sinking fund to the development fund. Some of the Ministers oppose the establishment of an ad hoc authority, and prefer that the sums be voted to the Board of Agriculture, Local Government Bo'ard, and Board of Trade, as having staffs capable of administering the grants.