BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 26 April 1923, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

THE INCOME TAX

NO FURTHER REDUCTION

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

LONDON, April 24. In the House of Commons- Mr S. Baldwin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, opposing the amendment to reduce the income tax a further sixpence to 4/-, said the reduction would mean £19,000,000 this year and £26,000,000 next. It was a tremendous thing so soon_ after w&r to have made such a' reduction as 1/6. ' . The amendment was negatived without a division. ';

LONDON, April 25. Mr Boyd Carpenter, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that direct taxation under the new Budget, amounted to £lO 2s Id per capital and indirect taxation £5 16s.

The Commons, by 179 votes to 157, rejected a motion to reduce the tea duty from 8d tf; 5d a lb.

HEREDITARY HONOURS

LONDON, April 24. Mr S. Baldwin, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said fees and stamp duties, ranging from £270 in the case of a baronet to £370 in the case of a duke, were imposed on the creation of hereditary honours. He would not consent to introduce a tax on title names, because it would beinsufficiently revenue-producing. BREWERS' PROFITS LONDON, April 24.; In the Commons, Colonel Guest, in Committee on the Budget moved to reduce the Government's increase of brewers contributions Howards lowering the price of beer. In moving the seconds mg said that if the brewers bore the whole duty remitted they would still have profits totalling £14,500,000. Commander Bellairs wanted beer reduced by 2d a pint, as high-priced beer produced discontent and it should be the Conservative Government's first object to alter this. .Mr S. Baldwin, replying, justified his airangements with the brewers as the reimposition of wartime eontrol was the only other means of ensuring the consumer the benefit of the tax reduction. The present beer consumption was twenty-six million bulk barrels. This was much below the pre-war figure. The brewers' contribution must come from an increased consumption and decreased overhead charges. The present quality would be maintained The amendment was negatived by 252 votes to 165. I

DUTY ON DRIED FRUITS

LONDON. April 25.

The House of Commons'by 249 votes to 190 defeated a motion to abolish duty on dried fruits.