"ABSOLUTE RUIN AHEAD."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13596, 3 December 1909, Page 7

"ABSOLUTE RUIN AHEAD."

A CONSERVATIVE VIEW OF THE BUDGET.

The following letter, giving a Conservative view of tbe Budget, h«s been received by a New Zealander from a relative in England:— "The oountry ia in * state of ferment over the Budget. I am strongly

opposed to it, and can see nothing but absolute ruin ahead, if it should be carried. Tho working-men (so-called) of the country rejoiced exceedingl}" at tho Workmen's Compensation Act, but they have lived to regret it bitterly. I remember a very hot argument I had at the time with a Liberal at the National Liberal Club over the question. I was opposed to it, because I thought that the Insurance. Societies would put an age limit upon employees, and thus throw the older men out of work. It was some time before this was done, but now. although there is no clause in any insurance agreement, the societies give the employer to understand that anyone over 45 years of ago will only be insured on payment of a very heavy premium. Result: thousands of strong and useful workmen out of work. "The Budget proposals are causing millions of pounds to be sent abroad. Asquith says: 'What odds? the interest comes back;' but if it does come back, it is not to the nation, but to a few. whilst our capital abroad gives work only to the foreigner, who has a double incentive to compete with our workmen in the open market; and here again is an obvious source of unemployment. Look at it as I will, I fail to see anything but disaster ahead, as a result. But, after all, who knows what the Budget really means? I don't. Nor does Lloyd-George. I only know that it is the biggest mess that was ever brought about by any Chancellor of tne Exchequer. Qms custodiet ipscs custodes?' -