BRITISH BUDGET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 May 1925, Page 5

BRITISH BUDGET

A LABOUR DEMONSTRATION

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

LONDON, April 30. Mr Winston Churchill, when closing the debate on the Budget, made incidental reference to the danger of workers learning how to qualify for unemployment insurance. Instantly there were angry Labour cries of “withdraw.” which grew in intensity when Mr Churchill refused. He attempted a dozen times to resume his speech, but each time met with a volley of shouting and taunts from Socialist members. Tho Chairman of Committee repeatedly appealed to Labour members, saying that Mr Churchill had said nothing out of order. After half an hour Mr Churchill sat down amid loud Ministerial cheers and left the House with the rest of the Ministerialists.

Australian circles in London .arc realising that July is too kite for-Australia to benefit from fruit and sugar. preferences, and they have started a campaign to persuade the Government to introduce the preferences earlier. It is pointed out .that if an incorporated Finance Bill is necessary, they would have .to wait until the Bill is passed, which would probably be at least two or tlireo months. It is understood that the Government is sympathetic, and will meet the Australian interests if possible. They arc endeavouring to overcome the Parliamentary.precedents so as to deal with the fruit and sugar preferences immediately by some other method. Tile Daily Express asserts that Budget proposals are creating alarm in industries such as shipbuilding and mining, which are unable to hear till© incubus of the new insurance payments. The paper urges the postponement of the burden, which may cause industrial .ruin.

In the House of Commons, during the Budget debate Mr Walter Guinness defending the silk tax, denied that silk was anything hut a luxury. It was mixed with wool and cotton merely to increase attractiveness, and was in no wise economical to the poorer classes. He cited as an example of the superiority of cotton the. fact that ladies preferred that flic feet and tops of stockings, to which they hitched suspenders, should nob be made of silk. This sally was greeted with cheers and laughter. Mr Guinness scouted the suggestion that the tax would appreciably affect the industry.

A STORMY SCENE CLOSURE APPLIED LONDON, April 30. In tlie House of Commons the'"gold standard decision was assailed by., a broadside from, the Conservative member, Sir; Frederick Wise, financial expert. who after detailed criticism of what ho termed a gamble which will probably benefit nobody but the United States, declared that w’e did not want to borrow more from America, and certainly did not want to be in their hands.

M MacDonald denounced the Budget on ismilar lines to Mr Snowden’s speech. Mr Churchill, replying to the debate, was in fighting mood. He faced an angry scene when ho expressed the opinion that it was in the interests of trade unions and empTSyers to l inform themselves of the danger in workers learning how to qualify for unemployment insurance. There were Labour cries of “Shame!” “Disgraceful,’’' “Insulting to the workers!” “Withdraw!” all of wheh continued in spite of the chairman’s appeals for order. Mr Churchill warmly declined to withdraw. . ... , A score of Labour members then sprang up. talking simultaneously. Mr Chamberlain ironically commented on the right of free speech, and remained on his feet for fifteen minutes, vainly trying to get a hearing. Finally ho sat down suggesting that the . motion should he taken forthwith, since thq Opposition was not prepared to listen to the Government’s spokesman. { The Communist member, Mr Saklafcvala, rose to resume the debate, whereupon the bulk of Ministerialists rose and walked out. Mr Baldwin moved the clousre amid hack-bench Labourite cries of “Dirty!” Labour members challenged the division, hut did not persist, on account of admonitions from Mr,(MacDonald, who, with the Labour front benchers, did not participate iii the interruptions. The Committee stage then closed. . The debate will be resumed on 7th May.