BRITISH BUDGET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 5

BRITISH BUDGET.

A MOTION FOR REJECTION.

THE LAND TAXES.

PENALISING ENTERPRISE.

"MAKE THE FOREIGNER PAY."

By Telegraph.— Association.—

(Received November 3. 11.30 p.m.) London, November 3. In the House of Commons last night Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer in MrBalfour's Ministry) moved the rejection of the Finance (Budget) Bill. Mr. Chamberlain denounced the underlying principle of the Budget of placing special burdens on special people. •'. Incidentally he remarked that much of the friendly societies' money was invested in land, which would be subject to tax when they turned it over and dealt with it.

There were Ministerial scries of "Why not?"

Mr. Chamberlain remarked that that was an admission of which they had taken note. One man could hold up his land for five years merely by leasing to a cricket or football club, while another would be taxed for developing it. The Budget had gravely injured building land and the licensed and tobacco trades. These taxes might be used asj a last resource in a great emergency. They were grievous if necessary, and criminal if unnecessary.

Let the Government, he proceeded, seek to build up, instead of seeking to destroy, and cease to ruin particular trades by burdens that were too heavy to bear.. If necessary they should spread the net wider and let the vast mass of foreign imports that were competing with the products of their industries pay some toll to benefit the market which they enjoyed. Let them give , security for industry and for employment, and the Treasury would share in the prosperity, not of a class, but of the nation.

" Put our people," he said, "on an equality with others and give them a fair start in the race, and I am not afraid of the result. You will open new sources of revenue and find work forjbhe workless and bread for the hungry."

Sir William Robson (AttorneyGeneral), speaking to Mr. Chamberlain's motion, justified the taxing of the unearned increment. The Bill was not socialistic. Socialism aimed at substituting State action for individual enterprise. The Bill protected individual enterprise, where it was . imperilled. Doubtless the object of the Budget was something more than a financial object.' and Mr. Chamberlain's object would also be more.

"I am glad." he adder* "that the Bill was not framed without regard for the higher considerations which put finance on a higher plane."