There was a lively debate in the Commons on the
Finance Bill muddle on Tuesday. Mr. Hayes Fisher moved an amendment regretting the delay in granting aid to the local authorities, and condemning the setting up of the new system of valuation for rating purposes under the controlof the Land Valuation Department, which was to be a condition precedent to such grants. Mr. Cassel, in seconding the amendment, maintained that Mr. Lloyd George's policy was built from beginning to end on mistrust of local authorities in Great Britain, and absolute confidence in them in Ireland. The feature of the debate, however, was a scathing speech from Mr. Healy. Mr, Lloyd George was the most reckless and incapable Chancellor of the Exchequer that had ever sat on that beneli. He had twice accused him (Mr. Healy) of fraudulently deceiving the House by improper use of a State paper, but Mr. Healy repelled and retorted the insinuation. Mr. Lloyd George never made a speech without making a blunder, never brought in a Budget without having to issue a second edition of it, and appeared to be only learning the apprenticeship of the trade he had taken on.
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