PROPOSED SILK TAX

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 141, 19 May 1925, Page 10

PROPOSED SILK TAX

OPPOSITION TO PROPOSALS.

DEPUTATION TO CHANCELLOR. LONDON, May 17. What is described as the most influential textile deputation ever organised, representing the whole of the Yorkshire wool and Lancashire cotton industries, saw Mr Winston. Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and protested against the silk duties as a tax on important raw materials. It was pointod out that the mixtures of wool and artificial silk and cotton had grown increasingly popular and that trade in these goods was helping to tide over the worst depression ever known in Lancashire. Tho tax would gravely interfere with that trade and throw thousands out of employment. Yorkshiremen pointed out that half the Bradford looms were now idle. The deputation showed samples of competing artificial silk produced on the Continent, in India and in China and declared that tho trade was looking forward to the discovery of a new synthetic silk which the duty would stifle. Mr uhurchill asked the deputation to choose representatives to discuss rebates on silk exports. The deputation rejected the suggestion and demanded that the tax be dropped.—A. and N.Z. cable.

HOPES FOR ABANDONMENT, LONDON, May 16. Tho Observer says: “Every friend of Mr Winston Churchill hopes that lie will abandon the artificial silk tax to the advantage of the Budget as a whole. Artificial silk is n:o more a proper subject for taxation thnn cotton or wool. It is part of the Lancashire raw material.”—A. and N.Z. cable.