THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

West Coast Times, 3 September 1909, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE LIQUOR LICENSE PROVI3-

"PBB PBESS ASSOCIATION. — COPYRIGHT ]

LONDON, Sept. 2.— Mr LJoydGeorge's proposed restrictions in connection with grocers liquor licenses in the Budget proposals in the ca>e of Scotland and Ireland (as already cabled) ai'e exciting great opposition, .and many communications are reaching private members.

On the committee stage of the B-idg-get Mr Redmond has given notice of motion to exclude Ireland from the operation of the new licenses.

Mr Asquith made a conciliatory reply to Mr Redmond's remai'ks in announcing his intention to the House. Mr Asquith said that while the acceptance of such a sweeping amendment as that proposed by Mr Redmond was out of the question, he was prepared tv go some waj' towards meeting ?»fr Redmond's views. The Government' would with that object reduce the minimm? amount of the increased duty payable in respect to public hotises in areas with a given population in Ireland as compared with public houses in areas of the same population in England or Scotland. Mr Asquith further stated that when the Budget was in committee he would also propose that the present system of valuation in Ireland, be not disturbed. He also promised to consider the granting of some concessions on the new proposals to the small brewers.

Mr Clancy thanked Mr Asquith, but intimated that the Nationalists reserved judgment until the concession promised took the form of Government amendments.

Mr Balfour, in a spirited criticism, said he was unable to understand why the small publicans and brewers of Ireland should be treated differently to their brethren in England a.i'l Scotland and he suggested amid Unionist cheers that it was a political bargain, and added that after all they may < iarry these bargains too far, and n-ay sacrifice too much. He supposed that this was an old bargain, and it was scandalous that the Government should Lave kept it. He contended that the committee had been monstrously used