AUSTRALIAN BUDGET

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1929, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN BUDGET

CUSTOMARY PROTESTS

against new taxation

(Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn. —Copyright.)

SYDNEY, August 23. The Federal Government’s new Customs and Excise duties, in addition to their extra taxation on incomes and on amusements, as cabled yesterday, have caused an outburst of indignation throughout Australia. The Press generally severely condemns the Treasurer’s announcement. The theatre managers and the motor industry predict severe losses and trade disturbance, with a repercussion in the rural districts. x n Further, to-day it is reported that the increased duties on liquors, pictui e film, motor chassis and petrol have caused a slump in share prices on the Stock Exchange. . .... The “Evening News”, in an editorial, concludes: The Government cannot but regard the reaction of the electors with anything but misgiving.

A LONDON COMMENT.

LONDON, August 23. The Financial News describes Australia’s new taxes as the price the public has to pay for labour disturbances. The most favourable features are the continuance of British preference and provision for debt redemption. ARBITRATION COURT. CANBERRA, August 23. The Prime Minister, Mr. S. Bruce, to-day moved the second reading of the Bill to abolish the Federal Arbitration Court. He said that the Government was determined to evacuate the field of industrial regulation, save in respect to the shipping and the waterside industries. The Government found that the attitude of the various Unions was such that it was impossible to enforce penalties under the Court’s awards. Moreover, those under the awards accepted them only when it suited them, and they resorted to direct action when it seemed likely that they could get more benefits than from the Court. The several States would now have the full control of their industrial problems, and would be free from the present trammels to use whatever methods that were best suited to their individual interests. This Bill provided for the control of the maritime industry by a number of Committees, and the present Judges of the Federal Arbitration Court would become associated with a Maritime Industry Court. The debate on the Bill w r as adjourned.