GOVERNMENT'S NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 75, 29 March 1926, Page 9

GOVERNMENT'S NEW LEASE OF LIFE

UNPOPULAR TAX GIVEN UP

HOSTILE DEPUTIES APPEASED.

(United Presi Aisociation.—Copyright)

(Reuter'i Telegram.)

(Received 29th March, 10 a.m.) * PABIS, 28th March. The political-financial situation hai been drastically transformed. The Government's fate on Friday seemed sealed owing to Socialists and Radicals opposing an increase in the business turnover tax, on which the Government insisted, but on Saturday M. Peret, Finance Minister, suddenly informed the Finance Committee of the Chamber that he had given up this tax and would instead submit proposals to increase certain indirect taxes, especially on wines beers, and spirits and certain stamp duties. M. Peret asked for a little time to put the finishing touches to the new project. The Committee readily agreed. Thus an anti-Government majority on the turnover tax was averted. An eleventh-hour amendment by Deputy Margaine in favour of a State monopoly of petroleum and sugar was adopted by the Finance Committee. It provides for. the State control of the importation of raw petroleum and its denvatives and sugar from Ist January, 1927, but it is in no iway certain that Parliament will pass it.