BRITISH BUDGET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 April 1923, Page 5

BRITISH BUDGET

CHANCELLOR REPLIES TO DEBATE

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Australian- & N.Z. Cable Association)

LONDON, April 19

Mr Baldwin, replying to the debate, claims that most criticisms of the Budget demolished eacli other. "Perhaps 1 am not far from the happy mean. Some critics say my provision for sinking fund is too much"; others declare it too little." The Dominion debts have been practically settled. The Australian and New Zealand debts have been funded and interest was being received regularly amounting to six million yearly. The Canadian debt was practically settled and a substanial part of the South African debt was paid off and the rest funded. The Chancellor said Mr Snowden complained of the heavy tax on liquors as the greatest ally of temperance. If penal taxation was useful he wondered why Mr Snowden was going to oppose (i tax on betting. A resolution authorising the Finance Hill was agreed to.

BETTING TAX

LONDON, April 1U

Tho Evening Standard states that the Government intends to announce the personnel of the betting tax committee within a few days. All interests —jockey clubs, bookmakers, churches and public bodies—opposing the tax will be given an adequate opportunity of slating their views but the Government is determined to keep the inquiry within reasonable limits in order that the recommendations will not be delayed. If the report favours the tax Mr Baldwin intends to prepare legislative and administrative machinery in time to impose the tax in October. It is likely that both Sir GeoFuller and Mr Laws'ou will be invited to give evidence relating to the experience of New South Wales and Victoria.