LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1945, Page 2

LATE MESSAGES

BRITAIN’S BUDGET

RUGBY, April 26

Replying to the Budget debate in the Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir J. Anderson) said that in any review of tax allowances abatements would have to be considered. Taxation under the present system was a burden not only on the people at the bottom of the scale. Referring to food subsidies, he said the present cost was £225.000,000. Of that amount £65.000,000 applied to imported food. Of the remainder £15,500,000 was for the national milk scheme, and £500,000 for milk in schools. The remaining £139,000,000 was for home produced food. As far as the future was concerned, he hoped to continue the subsidies so far as was necessary to keep the cost of living stable during the abnormal period. The Chancellor agreed that the possibility of inflation must be watched, and said that controls would not be continued for controls’ sake. Every sort of compromise was possible’ between undiluted private enterprise and full State control.

BRAVE DESERTERS

MELBOURNE, April 27

“You know they have done wrong, but you cannot help admiring them.’ said the defending officer at the Court-martial of two young, Victorian soldiers who had left their unit in New Guinea to fight with the Americans in the Philippines. The men. Privates Leslie Victor James, and Frank Dudley Travers, wore charged with desertion. James had enhsteu when 19 years of age and Travers when 27. Both men served in Greece and Crete. . Letters from the American Army produced at the Court-martial stated chat James had been- recommended for the Silver Star and Travers for the Bronze Star and the Purpuc Heart for their part in the fighting on Luzon. However, because of tneir unusual status, they were unable to receive the decorcitions. The officei who commanded the regiment in which the two men served in the North African, Greece and Ci'etc camaigns praised them as valiant soldiers. His only complaint was that they pestered him with'request for more action. ... The decision of the Court-martial will be promulgated later. AUCKLAND GAS WORKS.

AUCKLAND, April 27. As the result of a strike by retort house workers at the Auckland Gas Company’s plant yesterday, the supply of gas for most of the Auckland district ceased at midday to-day, after a limited supply had been available during the morning. There will be no supply to-morrow, but if the workers resume this afternoon a limited supply may be available on Sunday. The gas company manager fMr. R. Worley) said this morning he had received a reply to his telegram outlining the position to, the ActingPrime Minister. In this Mr. Nash stated the Minister of Transport (Mr. O’Brien) was in Auckland, dnd that he would concern himself in the matter. Mr. Worley added that Mr. O’Brien conferred' with him last night, but Mr. Worley said he had no statement to make concerning the conference.

PEOPLE’S SAVINGS.

AUCKLAND, April 27.

During the war, saving by the people has been unprecedented and gives cause for satisfaction, said Mr. Oliver Nicholson, President of the Auckland Savings Bank, in his report at the annual meeting of the bank trustees, to-day. He pointed out that the total funds have risen to £17,592,294, an increase in the year of £1,765,934. The gain since the outbreak of war was £7,629,242. Mr. Nicholson said the gain in depositors’ balances of £1,149,941 was substantial, although not as large as in the two previous years. Deposits at £6,868,489 were only £83,000 less than last year’s record amount, but withdrawals increased by £645,000. This was mainly accounted for by increased transfers from ordinary savings to national war savings accounts, especially during the. Victory Loan campaign, and by much heavier withdrawals than usual during the recent income tax payment period. The number of depositors in all departments of the bank now totalled 246,848 an increase of 10,099 for the year.