AUSTRALIAN BUDGET

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 November 1940, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN BUDGET

CHALLENGED BY LABOUR [BY CABLE-—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] CANBERRA, November 28. A discussion on the budget opened in the Federal House of Representatives to-day. This discussion is expected to provide the first crucial test for the Government. Mr. J. Curtin launched his amendment for the postponement of the first item on the budget as cabled. Mr. Curtin in the course of his speech, emphasised that terrific burdens were being placed on the lower range of incomes by the direct budget. He did not doubt that the Government required every penny which Parliament was asked to provide, but he warned the Treasurer that the Government’s proposals would “kill the goose, that laid the golden egg.” Labour, he said, believed that Australia should defend itself by flesh and blood of the people, and the capacity of the country to provide the raw materials and the manufactured articles. Money should be used for measuring the services rendered. The Government’s intention is to oppose the amendment even if it means defeat. It will then appeal to the Governor-General for a dissolution. The Prime Minister announced that the Government regarded the amendment as a challenge.

THREAT OF STRIKES (Received November 29, 1.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 29. Reactions to the record taxation are diverse, but all sections of the community are unanimous there will have to be severe “tightening of the belt.” Comment by business and industrial leaders suggested the new imposts would bear heavily on business generally. Union leaders at Sydney and Melbourne forecast the new tax proposals will lead to an outbreak of strikes in the New Year. It is explained that compulsory tax deductions apply only on incomes up to £lOOO a year.