BRITISH POLITICS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 138, 13 June 1913, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

FOOD TAXES AND THE PEOPLE,

FINANCE BILL PASSED SECOND

READING,

[Press Association.] (Received June 12, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 12. Mr Snowderi's amendment condemning food1 taxes, and urging the raising of revenue by means of direct taxes on unearned income and large estates, was rejected by 256 votes to 38. Mr Henderson argued that the Liberal party was pledged to the abolition of food taxes. The workers were exploited far too much. Mr Asquith replied, dissociating himself with the policy of a free breakfast table, but remarking, .that the present Government had altered the proportion of direct and indirect taxation. When it, cam© into office direct taxation was 29s 10& per head, and now it was 39s 3d. Indirect taxation was 29s od, now it was 28s lOd. No doctrine was more fatal to the root principle of democratic government than the statement that the constant amelioration of the social conditions of the less favored classes must be effected at the sole exclusive expense of the other classes. Mr Austen Chamberlain re-echoed the Prime ■Minister's declaration that all classes must contribute proportionately to the national expenditure. The Finance Bill was then read a second time %j 268 to 164.