BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15393, 25 September 1915, Page 11

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE BUDGET. LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE. SUPPOPT PROMISED. (By Cable.—Pi-Ms A«sociation.—Copyright LONDON, September 23. Speaking in the Budget debato, Mr GN. Barnes, on behalf of the Labour Party, approved of Mr McKcnna's proposals, in view of the special circumstances. Ho assumed that the tax 011 imported goods was merely a financial expedient, and devoid of political {significance. Tho Party was prepared to support the Government in any Budget helping to prosecute the war to a successful issue. He regretted the adoption of a lower exemption limit, as he felt that tho increased revenue from it would not bo proportionate to the hardship inflicted on the earners of £200 .a year. The Party welcomed the taxation on war profits, but the Government should havo assumed tho (*>ntroi of some of these industries long ago. and it was now compounding a fciony by sharing the "swag." Tho Labour Party recommended, as an alternative, the appropriation by the Government of eighty per eont. of war profits. He protested against the additional taxation of £16,000,000 levied upon very poor people. The abolition of the halfpenny postage was perhaps tho greatest blot on the Budget.

THE IMPORT DUTIES. OPPOSITION BY FREE-TRADERS. ("Tiroes" *nd "Sydrey Sun" Serrico*.) (Received September 24th. 0.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. The Parliamentary correspondent of "The Times 1- f>ays that the only taxe* exeiting controversy on euestions of principle are the new import duties. Many members would have preferred lo to 20 per rent, ad valorem duties on all imported snoods except perhaps grain and 'meat. Some consistent free-traders are ready to accept the new duties as an eeonomie nwewsity caused by the war. A few frivolous members have called the duties ''McKenna's joke." and af.ked why so largo a net is spread and to few fish caught. A group of determined free-traders are brt. on destroying the import duties if thev ran bv a revival of a union among freetraders. Tho only other big item of thr» Budget which meets with serious objection is the new Post Office rat<\>. There is much opposition the abolition of the halfpenny postcard. AN HONEST BUDGET. VIEWS OF ' THE TIMES." (Br Cable.—Pre*® Association.—Copyright.) LONDON. September 23 "The Tim.?;-" considers that the Budget is an honest and straightforward

one, but it omits retrenchment in th« public services. It is lamentablo that the Government will not give a rcsai lead to the public in tho matter of economy. The modest instalment of tariff reform which is Riven, selects certain manufactured article* because the* happen to temjiorarily sonic of tho chief ollenders in exce&s've importations during the current year. FREE-TRADERS' CRITICISM. (Re reived September '2-lth. D.4."> p.m.i .LONDON. September 24. In the Budget debate. Sir Alfred Mond iLiberal) said it was folly to tell the Hfjnse of Commons that the Government was compelled to scran the existing fiscal system in order to develop* exports, when a large anwunt of export trade was lest through unnecessary and foolish restrictions and delay in supplying licenses. The motor-car duty would mean th« loss of sixteen millions of capital and thirtv thousand men would ho thrown out of employment. Mr MoKerna said the taxation ot" imports did not comprise a fisonl principle It was introduced avowedly to raise venue and limit unnecessary luxuries. Thov were cnnrielled to abandon the ordinary fiscal policy .iwing to war circumstances. He did not know of a countrv like Britain t'or willingness to nay. lie thought had never been such a country in history where the nntion had naturally came forward ifd asked to be taxed. Our willingness to bear burden* indicated our capacity to stnv. a«d ".lie nation lastiiv; longest must win. CUSTOMS CLEARANCES. LONDON. September -3. A Customs order was recently issued directing that tea and wine and spirit merchants should not be allowed to dear from bond more than their daily average of goods for the last three months. Tho clearance of tea and tobacco had been abnormal, in anticipation of further taxation. Mr MeKenna. in the House of Commons, admitted that there had l>een no authority to interfere with the elcarnnees, but be would shortly ask the Rouse of Commons to validate the action taken. THE SUGAR. DUTY. MINISTERIAL DEFENCE. (Received September 21th, 10.25 p.m.) | LONDON. September 24. JMr MeKenna said there was an overwhelmingly strong case for the sugar tax. The best test was the greatly increased consumption. The new tux justified tlio principlo of obtaining money from as many contributors as possible. It is expected that the Government will abandon or modify tho abolition ol the halfpenny postage. A meeting of Radicals urged the Government to tax land values. FEWER CIGARETTES FOR A PENNY. (Received September 24th, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 24. Tobacco makers announce that tho penny packet of cigarettes will contain four instead of five cigarettes. Tobacco intended for the troops will not bo taxed. What wiT] cost 2s for the ordinary consumer will cost only sixpence for the soldier. WAR PENSIONS BILL. (Roceived September 25th, 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 24. Tho Government waa defeated in the House of Lords over the War Pensions Bill. Lord Devonport's amendment eliminating the lloyal Patriotic Fund Corporation from tho Committee administering war pensions was carried by 35 votes to 26. It is expected that the House of Commonß will rcject tho amendment because it upsets a feature of the scheme. FRANCE GREATLY IMPRESBKIS "IT'S WORTH A BATTLE WON." and "Sydnej Sun" Perrtc*. i (Received Scltemter 24th. 5.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 24. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says tho British Budget has done more than anything to impress on tho French the resolution and resources of Great Britain. A newspaper heading. 'It's worth a battle won," correctly translates the popular feeling.

THE CABINET. NO REDUCTION PROPOSED. (By Cable.—Pr«s .Association.—Copyright.) LONDON. September 23. Mr Asquith, in reply to Commander Bellairs, said that it was not proposed to red'ico tho number of members o tho Cabinet. ONE OF THE ELECT. SIR R. BORDEN'S POSITION. LONDON. September 23 "Tho Times" publishes a remarkable communication, written by the dian Record Officer with the Canadian forces, concerning Sir Robert Borden's visit to Britain. The writer 6ays that to-day it is recognised that Sir Robert Borden has won a by the side of Cecil Rhode*. Joseph Chamberlain, and General Rotha in that charmed circle of cloar-sighted statesmen whose exertions. we may hope, have saved the Empire in our generation. SULPHURIC ACID SUPPLIES. ENQUIRY URGED. LONDON, September 23. The "Globe," in connexion with tin nnrchasri ot sulphuric acid in America for the Government, urges a Parliamentarv enquiry. It declares that the firm of C. Tannart and S">n£ has been commissioned to purchase the acid. anH that 110 attempt hsss been made to obtain the acid in England. A heavy leakage has resulted through the shipment of American acid in iron drum* icstead of earthenware carbora, nnd tln> a">d damaged two of the transporting fchips. THE CENSORSHIP. MORE CRITICISM. »n<i — Sun" Sernc««) (Received September 24th. 5.10 p.m.') I/ONDON. September 24. In the. Hucse of Commons Sir A. Markham. complaining of the censorship. stated that, when there was bad news from the Dardanelles, people had to get it from their friends and relatives. The Hoiifcc had been kept in complete ignorance of the seriousness of the situation on Gallipoli Pcninoula.