THE BURDEN OF TAXATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 29 March 1930, Page 4

THE BURDEN OF TAXATION

BUSINESS INJURED Addressing the'annual meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the president, Mr H. W. Lee, said the acute uncertainty as to the Government's financial policy "is injuring business, holding up enterprise, and destroying confidence. We are all intensely a larm r ed at the way expenditure mounts up and at the almost total absence of any real efforts at economy. It is no business of mine to differentiate between those burdens which Mr Snowden may have inherited from Mr Churchill and those he has had thrust upon him by the policy of the Labour Government, or those he is said to be contemplating on his own responsibility. The farming truth is that the country is being faced with a bill beyond its ability to meet without crippling itself. Enterprise is\ checked, less money is available to put back into trade, and what money is available is dearer, and that dearness is a recognised deterrent to trading prosperity. Over and beyond this is the effect on general confidence. Business men arc satisfied that our national expenditure has been dangerously near the limit for some years, and that it it is vitally important to move in the opposite direction. However meritorious the objects for which money can be spent, the plain truth is we can afford nothing further. All classes, irrespective of party, can say to Mr Snowden with one voice, 'Cut the national coat according to the amount of national cloth available, reduce expenditure by exercising all the determination at your command, and giv« industry and trade freedom from fresh burdens.' "