BUDGET RESOLUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19320, 6 May 1926, Page 9

BUDGET RESOLUTIONS.

PROCEEDINGS IN COMMONS. SHADOW OF THE STRIKE. A. and N.Z. LONDON. May 4. The House of Commons met in a quiet mood to-day under the influence of the strike. No business papers were circulated, and the Speaker appealed to members not to submit written questions because of the printing difficulty. The chief business of the day -was a discussion of the Budget resolutions. Mr. Philip Snowdm, Labour member for Yorkshire (West Riding) announced that the Labour members, would not participate in the debate under the existing deplorable circumstances, but wonJd content themselves with voting on the divisions. They would reserve discussion until the Finance Bill was before the House. Mr. Lloyd George, Leader of the Liberals, spoke in a similar vein. He said the mind of Parliament was concentrated on a matter of grave public importance. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winston Churchill, said there would be a sense of great unreality if they tried to keep up long debates when their minds were otherwise fully occupied. Full opportunity would be given for discussion of the Budget at later stages. Consideration would be given to the fact that the Opposition was at present surrendering its opportunities. Divisions were then taken.

The betting tax resolution was agreed to by 282 votes to 122.

The resolutions bearing on income tax, the duty on trade motor-cars, exemption of antiques from duty, and continuation of the safeguarding of key industries for the next ten years were also agreed to. A division was forced on the proposal to transfer £7,000,000 to the Exchequer from the Road Fund, but the resolution was carried by 320 votes to 134. Mr. Churchill fonnally introduced the Finance Bill, under which preferences will be debated. The House then adjourned.