BRIAND’S NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3308, 30 March 1926, Page 9

BRIAND’S NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Unpopular Turnover Tax Given up

AMENDMENT APPEASES HOSTILE DEPUTIES [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] , PARIS, March 28. The political-financial situation has been drastically transformed. The Government's fate on Friday seemed sealed, owing to Socialists and Radicals opposing an increase in the business turnover tax, on which the Government insisted, but on Saturday M. Peret, Finance Minister, suddenly informed the Finance Committee of the Chamber that he had given up this tax and would instead submit proposals to increase certain indirect taxes, especially on wines, beers, and spirits and certain stamp duties. M. Peret asked for a little time to put the finishing touches to the new project The Committee readily agreed. Thus an anti-Government majority on the turnover tax was averted. An eleventh-hour amendment by Deputy Margaine in favour of a State monopoly of petroleum and sugar was adopted by the Finance Committee. It provides for the State control of the importation of raw petroleum and its derivatives and sugar from January X, 1927, but it is in no way certain that Parliament will pass it. WHERE THE MONEY GOES. OPERATIONS IN SYRIA. BEIRUT, March 28. A convoy of tanks preceding a French column marching from Sodnaya to Niva encountered a powerful body of rebels and fired on them, killing thirty.