BRITISH AFFAIRS

Grey River Argus, 29 April 1944, Page 2

BRITISH AFFAIRS

Budget Debate 8.0.W. RUGBY, April 27. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to the Budget discussion in the Commons, said he had every reason to/think the House received favourably the proposals for 20 per cent, initial' contribution towards capital expenditure bn plant and equipment. He believed this provision would be found a most potent influence in putting the nation more on a. level with other industrial nations in modernisation of plant and buildings. Referring to the question of price stabilisation, Sir J Anderson said 'his. was tb.e onlv feature in the Budget statement which had been criticised to any substantial extent. He appreciated the grounds of criticism. It had been said he had started processes by which prices and wages were going to chase each other up a vicious spiral. “I have nothing of that sort in mind,” he said. “All I suggested is a slow reluctant movement, prices dragged up after wages, but still left far behind. I made no attack on wages or wage rates. I made clear that what I had to say applied equally io all items of costs which go to raise prices. I made no threat. T tried to indicate a warning. It was not quite fair to suggest I am starting a process of inflation even on a modest scale. I am not threatening the stabilisation policy, and I am not departing from it.” The Chancellor said he did not contemplate any. change in the cost, of living of the poorest people, and he proposed to watch very carefully movements in food items and the cost of living inlex.

Mr. Shinwell asked the Chancellor whether the terms of the experts.’ agreement on the international currency fund would preclude Britain from entering into separate currency arrangements with any of the Dominion countries. Sir J. Anderson said he assumed the questioner referred to the sterling area arrangements. There was nothing in the proposed scheme which precluded their continuance, and this was recognised at, recent talks with officials from the Dominions. VITAL STATISTICS. 8.0.W. RUGBY, April 27. Provisional figures for 1943 show that last vear the birth rate in England and Wales was the highest since 1928. New low records in infantile mortality and still-births were established. The marriage rate was tne lowest since 1926. Live births totalled 682,654, representing the rate of 16.5 per 1,000. There’ were 295,414 marriages, giving a rate of 14.3. Compared with 1942, there were nearly 73,000 fewer marriages, and compared with when a new high record was set up, there were over 175,000 feweideath rate in 1943 was 12.1 per 1,000. The excess of live births ovei total deaths was 181,217 compared with 173,902 in 1942. MEAT SUPPLIES, London, April 27. The Ministry ot Food stated it had received a cablegram from Mi. Bankes Amery, stating the New Zealand Meat Board had passed a resolution assuring the New Zealand farmers’ utmost effort to increase meat production as far as possible. A Min' jstry official said: “The British people will appreciate this further example of New Zealand farmers’ efforts to keen them adequately fed. We cannot give figures, but we get. a substantial proportion, of our mutton from them.”