The New Chancellor 'of Exchequer.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 70, 24 March 1887, Page 2

The New Chancellor 'of Exchequer.

Mr. Gosciikn'k first Budgot will bo ono ol tho sensations of tho pioaont British L'urlia mont. Although he rattod from tho Liboral causo, thero aro still many Liberals who bo

lieve in Mr Goschen's capacity aa a financier. He has written and spoken as iruch upon the subject of finance as any man living ; has held important administrative offices in Liberal Ministries ; was ono of tho delegates appointed to roorganieo tho Fgyptian national dobt in IS7G : and attended tho International Monotary Conference at Paris in IS7S. Such o man, olovatod to tho Exchequer, will fed undor a necessity to ** make a flpla^h.1' Therefore wo aro not surprised to loam by cablo that in answer to an influential deputation of Tory members, who urged him to provide some relief in tho Budget for the eloaeee auiiorin;; from agricultural depression, Mr Goscbon declared his belief that " the timo had arrived when it was dosirablo to review tho incidence of taxation throughout the United Kingdom." But tho directions he indicate for this roviow would ecarcoly provo very satisfactory to his Tory interviewers. Thoso changes, Mr Goechon eaid, should "not bo with the object of remitting any of tho taxos, but with a view to bring about a redistribution, so that personal property should bo madoto contribute more than it at present did. Ho considered there should also be a change mado in local taxation." There is not much encouragement in this statement for tho landlord class, who want to buoy up rents by taxing importations ot food under the garb of relieving the depressed agricultural interests. However, there is enough to excite a good deal of expectancy with regard to the coming Budget. Will it be a brilliant euccees such as that which stamped Mr Gladstone as the greatest Chancellor of the Exchequer of the century, or will it, liko Bob Lowo's match tax, extinguish its author as a financier for evermore ?