OPPOSITION’S ATTACK

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26394, 12 April 1951, Page 7

OPPOSITION’S ATTACK

Warning By Mr Churchill

(N.Z. Prm Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 pun) LONDON. April 11. the Mfeet in the hope «f aecwtag it* defont. The Ceaoervottvee* challenge will he w toe potato ta toe Pod ret Mwmmm predietag farther oaeterity Bring in Britain. Mr Churchill, opening the debate on the Budget after Mr Gaitekall’s presentation, staid that under Socialist rule, Britain had fallen from the position it held at the end of the war In almost every sphere of activity and had a lessened reputation at home and abroad. the dark shadow of the ■aftermath of devaluation still hung over Britain. Mr Churchill added: “Taxation falls on ua in a most grievous hampering, burdening toe whole nation and clogging and (tampering our efforts. It we took the whole period of Socialist Party rule, it is fair to say that the mismanagement of our finances tells almost the same tale as the mismanagement of our defences." Mr Churchill warned that the Commons faced long and severe debates. The political correspondent of the “Evening Standard," says the Conservatives will select one or two of the more important tax changes and go all out to defeat the Labour Government on them. Conservative members were tn an optimistic mood as they discussed the Budget fight after their victory over the Government in the House of Commons on Monday night on the pro. posal to reduce the cheese ration. The Opposition supports Britain’s three-year £4,700,000.000 arms programme, but opposes the new austeri. ties which it considers could well be avoided without risk to rearmament plans. Reuter's political correspondent says the Conservative line of attack on the Budget will be that for l every £ which the Government proposes to raise in taxes, Government departments should save a £ by internal economy. The line of attack will ba indicated U’hen Mr Oliver Lyttelton speaks to-day after a meeting of the Conservative “Shadow* Cabinet. The first division on the Budget will not take place probably until next week when the Budget resolutions come up in the report stage, The Finance Bill, giving legislative effect to the Budget comes in May and from then until it is passed at the end of July, the Conservatives will make their attacks on the Government. The political correspondent of the “Evening News" says that Cabinet Ministers are seriously concerned about foe Government’s ability to carry toe Budget proposals. Their fears arise from foe Government's defeat on Monday night, but nearly 100 Labour members missed foe division.