IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9535, 6 May 1909, Page 1

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

. ♦■ THE NEW TAXES. Unite* P»w Association— By Electrio Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, May 5. In the House of Commons Mr Ifcsguith announced that a Customs duty would be imposed on foreign beer. The general debate on the Budget Will dose 10-riigjkt. The leading proposals have been vigorously discussed. Ihe Government was accused of utilising til©' Budget to carry socialistic measures , that it would otherwise be unable to secure. Lloyd George, In reply, pointed to examples abroad and in some, colonies of high license duties and taxation of land values.. The surplus, of which part was hypothecated/was earmarked. The needs r>f the Navy in 1910 must be met first. Enough would then be left to relieve the local ratepayer. He claimed that he had striven, to distribute taxation Justly and fairly. He declared that naval expenditure would be very much higher in 1910 than in 1909. v He also foreshadowed a change in the taxation of licenses, according to the quantity of liquor sold, instead of the amount of rent. " The House of Lords passed the Inflian Councils Bill, embodying with 'fclause 3 Lord Morley's conciliatory provision ensuring, parliamentary control of the creation of any provincial executive councils outside Bengal. ■■ ,