, 1908-05-09

ed on the second in the presence OF the
King and Royal family and q brilliant Assem-
bly, of Diplomatists, Ministers and officers.
The death is announced of Carl Sail, Editor
Of Wort Forsvar.
The Commission respecting Iceland's rel"-
tions with Denmark have reached an agree
ment regarding q proposition, only one mem
Der d~isfenting~
SPECIAL.
London, 8th-Mr. Asquith's budget re-
duces the duty ON raw and refined sugar to
one shilling and tenpence per hundred weight
from the eighteenth of May, but on manufac-
tured articles from the first of July.
London, May 8th-In the House of Com
mons Yesterday Mr. Asquitb in presenting
his budget, began his speech by INT
ing upon the worlds slackening trade, new
ertheltss the realized surplus Of "a, 72O, 600
would be largely applied to the reduction Of
debt, which after the current year would be
about the same rs twenty years ago. Tie
estimated expenditure WAS 152,869, 600
pounds, and estimated revenue OF the ex-
iSt'n9 taxes, with 30 additions, 157, TT6,O0O.
The surplus would be appli d to Tire reduc-
tion of The customs duty on sugar, from May
the eighteenth, to one shilling and ten pence
INA "a OO WN1SA'1 NV NOIAA hbOOlD
3, 400, 900 pounds, and 1900, 900 pounds
would be devoted TO old age pensions Of
five shillings weekly to those possessing in
comes under twenty six pounds per annum
and over seventy years of age; lunatic1, crlmi-
mails and those in receipt Of poor law reliof,t to
be excluded, and married couples to receive
seven shillings and sxpence. He estimated
the number Of pensioners ut half n million
md the cost six millions III q full year, but
ii was only partial in the current yer, as it
will begin with the new year. If this is
socialism, he said, it is socialism which both
parties accept. He submitted his estimates
as conjecturnl and anticipated criticism that
it does not go far enough.To this the Labour-
ties Hssented, and he reminded them it WAS
only a beginning, the principle, he continued,
is unnlog JUS to free education, and it is un-
true that it necessitates the abandonment Of
free trade; and it 8 perfectly compatible W. b
.he present fiscal policy. The House was noL-
committal but keenly interested, and the
opponents of the measure found it less dras-
tic than was feared. The Socialists were di--
appointed, but welcomed it rs an insta!-
ment. Lobby talk was adverse the Con-
sci natives emphasized the difficulty of f.
RANGING the plans Mr.. Asqu,th had initiated,
but transferring the burdens to his successors;
End the LabOurites considered the age limit
too high, and the income limit idea all wrong,
as it encourages extravaganza and penalties
thr it. When Mr.. Churchill ut Dundee an
nouncea seventy years as the age limit, his au,
dience derided it. The Moderate Liberals seem
satisfied, and apparently the budget will be a
popular one.
The Daily News and Morning Loader pre-
fer sixty five years az the age limit, and cri-
ticize the smallness of the pension and the
income limit. The Morning Post says that
for the sake of the discredit of the fetish of
free trade, pensions are financed by q scheme
which will aggravate unemployment. The
Daily Telegraph condemns pensions wholly
from a treasury to which the recipients do
not contribute anything, and as the entering
of a wedge which the Socialists will drive
further, with harmful, and perhaps ultimately
ruinous results. The Daily Mail says Mr..
Asquith's motto is after me the delugt ;" by
ministerial post obits he evades increasing
taxation, but increases liabilities, forcing the
increases upon his SUCCESSORS, and tariff re.
form will be necessary to avert financial
disaster.
The Mersey Dock Board have approved an
extension scheme costing over three million
pounds, to accommodate the new White
Star Liners.