BRITISH BUDGET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 104, 3 May 1919, Page 5

BRITISH BUDGET

- - - l) DEBATE RESUMED 0 1 IMPERIAL PREFERENCE AND 3 FOOD TAXES 1 , 11 {Australian & N.Z. Caole Association; ,e LONDON, May L In the House of Commons. Sir Donald McLean, resuming the Budget debate, said that the great spending departments, which were spreading devasta. tiou throughout the country, must bo curbed. Mr Joseph Chamberlain had said that complete Imperial Preference would invariably entail taxes on food. ' Mr Austen Chamberlain interposed: “The Government do not intend new food taxes.” Sir Donald McLean continued, stating - that groat trade with the Dominions could not be developed without granting preference on corn, meat, and wool. He regretted that lie must fight the proposal. Sir L. S. Arnery defended the Governmont’fl proposal. He said this w«v not a direct issue between Free Trade and Protection; it was a question whether we regarded the Empire as a unit and whether we were willing to promote intercourse, understanding, and development, thus strengthening the Dominions. It was a worthy policy to carry out irrespective of old party divisions. We ■ were entering a new 7 period of the Em- | pi re’s history, and ought to deal with industrial, social, and economic problems in a new spirit, aiming at wider unity. OPPOSITION FROM BREWERS AND DISTILLERS. ' LABOUR PARTY AMENDMENTS. 1 . - \

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, Mty 2,

Brewers and distillers are organising opposition to the Budget beer and spirit duties.

The Labour Party intends to move amendments to the Budget demanding a levy out capital continuance of excess profits tax, withdrawal of Imperial Preference, and the raising of the income tax exemption ]imi to £250.