IMPERIAL POLITICS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13915, 28 May 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

THE BUDGET RESOLUTIONS. Press Associatdon-By Telegraph-Copyright Eeceived 10.30 p.m., May 27th. LONDON, May 27. Ia tlie House of Commons, the discuss ion continues on the Budget resolutions. The land tax proposals were severely criticised. Many of the ' Opposition speakers consider that 20 per cent, ou unearned increment and 10 per cent, oil leases is unworkable. The fanciful incidence on ungotten minerals, especially iron, will check enterprise. THE NAVY. STANDARD. Received 11..50 p.m., May 2illi. LONDON, May 27. Captain Craig moved that the House of Commons views with 'alarm any modification of the two-power standard as, defined by Mr Asquitli on November 12th. Mr Asquitli, in replying, said that at the present moment, whatever two Powers were selected, their combiued effective strength for aggressive purposes was far below Britain's defensive strength. The expression two-power was started purely as empirical and a generalisation. The 'United States fleet could not he put in the same category as the French and German. Mr Balfour said that Mr Asquitli's implication that there ought only to be a two-power strength in Home waters -was the most dangerous of doctrines. The fleet ought to be prepared to defend the Empire wherever it was attacked. It would be an entire change of policy if Britain abandoned the two-power standard whenever the Mediterranean, distant colonies and the West Indies were concerned. An amendment expressing confidence in the Government policy was carried by 272 votes to 100 votes. THE HIDE MARKET. MELBOURNE, May 27. Hides met excellent competition, and light hides were fully id higher. Supplies are moderate.