MR. CHURCHILL'S APOLOGIA

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 86, 12 April 1927, Page 9

MR. CHURCHILL'S APOLOGIA

VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE

(United Pross Association.—Copyright.) (Keccivod 12th April, noon.) LONDON, 11th April. Mr. Churchill's "Easter egg" Budget had been preceded by so mauy indicative official straws that everyone had an idea of the way the breozo was blowing. It was not a Budget of surprises. Everyouo interested was awaro that somo duty was coming. Tho only conjecture was how much. Even though thirteen motions had appeared on tho business paper demanding economics, oven tho abolition of departments, aud though ono critic, using one of Mr.. Churchill's own phrases, described him as "a piebald colt sired by terminological inexactitude and dainhod by sporting men of tho country," tho House, was by no moans unsympathetic, knowing that Mr. Churchill was tho hapless reciter of tho general strike's final and most tragic chapter. PERSONAL MAGNETISM. His personal magnetism carried him through with a minimum of interrnp-. tion. In fact, ho disarmed any hostility by saying: "Wo have met to-day un dor the shadow of last yoar's disaster. It is not tho timo to bowail Iho past. It is tho timo to pay tho bill. It is not for mo to apportion tho blame. My task is to apportion tho burden. -I do not assume tho role of impartial judge. I am merely the public executioner." (Laughter.) It was characteristic of Mr. Churchill's incongruity that as a contrast to 'his shining silk hat, frock-coat, and long cigar, as ho walked ■ along Downing street, ho carried tho Budget papers in a worn, shabby, red dispatch box, probably the oldest the Chancellor possesses. COST OF THE STRIKES. In a crowded- tenso House Mr. Churchill rose at 3.55 p.m. to announce tho Budget. At tho outset he reminded tho House that his calculations for last year hud been based on industrial peace. Customs and exoiso hud dropped £9,250,000; income tax £18,000,----000; Post Office £500,000; stamp duties £1,250,000. The total loss by tho general and coal strikes was £32,----000,000. mado up by a decreased rovonuo of £17,500,000 and increased expenditure of £14,500,000. Tho resulting loss of income and super-taxes spread over this and future years was £30,000,000. It had been necessary to raiso more Treasury bills. Tho expected fall in money rates had not ovontuated, thereby costing £6,000,000 extra interest on more and moro exponsivo Treasury bills. ■ MARVEL NOT WORSE. Mr. Churchill said that tho marvel was that tho country had not suffered moro irrocovorablo losses from tho shocking breakdown of island civilisation. Tho rovonuo had in the main survived and exchange " stood like- a rock in tho i'neo of ,it all, and thy gold standard had survived. Beer and spirits alone reflected to tho Exchequer the social and industrial struggle, but trado had ilowod on. England was not advancing us rapidly :is were somo nations, but sho was still advancing. Her economic vitality and financial strength though strained wero unimpaired. Referring to demands for economy, ho said that a £40,000,000 cut in cxl>ondituro would causo convulsion into which no Government could plunge. Allowing for tho declino of monoy values, tho expenditure on national and administrative sorviccs was actually 10 per cent, below 1914, despite the increaso in tho population and tho higher standards of living. "A FINANCIAL' DICTATOR." t Mr. Churchill said that to cut tho fighting services by 10 to 15 per cent. would causo a panic. "A financial dic--Ila tor might bo replaced by uuothcr. No constitutional Government could X'lungo into it."

STRIKES UPSET CALCULATIONS

The British Budget, introduced by llie Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winston Churchill; dealing with a deficit la.sl. year of over £30,000,000, was received with great interest by the House of Commons.- The Chancellor explained the circumstances which led lo the deficit and detailed the measures proposed to meet the arrears in .the coming financial year.