IS SILK A LUXURY?

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 4 May 1925, Page 5

IS SILK A LUXURY?

CHARGING SYSTEM TO BE

ALTERED,

LONDON, 2nd May. An outcry has developed all' over the country against Mr. Churchill's proposed silk duty, which has resulted in. the Ludget beingnicknamed "The silk stocking Budget." In consequence of the outcry the Treasury yesterday issued a, statement to the effect that the criticisms will be considered and the export trade will be consulted. It is now declared that it was never intended that because an article contained a little'silk it was to be taxed to the extent of oneUurd of its value. There is an immense range of goods in which a small proportion of silk is enjoyed, and it is admitted that the effect of imposing a ■ tax of one-third on the full value of such articles would make the duty hi«h]y protefftive. It is understood that "Mr. Churchill- has been iii consultation with the Customs authorities, and the result .will be a system of charging calculated to carry out Mr. Churchill's rral intentions. WOOL TOO DEAR FOR WORKING WOMEN The most pointed criticism of the silk duty came in the House of Commons from Miss Wilkinson (Labour), who declared that artificial silk had taken the place among working women of wool, which they cannot afford to buy. It was largely used for knitted jumpers \yhich women made themselves, and one pound at- three'shillings was sufficient or a jumper. -She proceeded to argue f ™ °f lll«e'shillings per pound meant 100 per cent, increase, but a tax ot four shillings per pound on the heavier silks used by rich women meant only .an increase of two-thirds. Concerning stockings, Miss Wilkinson said a -six° penny tax might be a matter of indifference to women who bought stockings at two guineas a pair,. but it meant a onetliird increase to women who bought artificial stockings at Is 6Jd per pair The Earl of Oxford, speaking at Glasgow yesterday, declared that the silk tax was a tax upon the raw material of a great industry. Sir Alfred 'Mend, speaking at Cardiff, asked: Why destroy one of the few prosperous industries Which the country has? _ It was a mystery who advised Mr. Churchill to take such a stupid step, and he was certain Mr. Churchill would be obliged to abandon such a proposal. - - ■ .