LABOUR CRITICISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19612, 14 April 1927, Page 13

LABOUR CRITICISM.

GENERAL DISAPPROVAL. , EFFECT OF TOBACCO DUTIES. '' l ' ' ' A. and N.Z. LONDON, April 12. Mr. Churchill's Budget speech has received little criticism in to-day's morning papers. 4* It is realised that with the exception of the small items, such as the higher duties on wines., tobacco and matches, it resolves itself into a raid upon the Road Fund and on revenue which is not normally payable until the following year.

Even the Conservative Morning Post reminds Mr. Churchill that some of his expedients will not be available again.

The commonest coinments are that the Budget, is clever, or tricky, according to the political views of the papers. Keepers of restaurants and winemerchants think that the increase in the duties on wine will not affect the consumption of claret, Burgundy, Graves and Moselle.

One: well-known dealer thinks that the price of port,, including Australian sweet wine of a similar type, will bs increased by about sixpence a bottle. The Imperial Tobacco Company announces that the price and quality of their cigarettes will not be changed, but that certain change* jn the prices of pipe tobacco will be unavoidable. Some of the criticisms of Labour members, which are typical of the general Labonr opinion, may be given: Commander J. M. Kenworthy, member for Kingston-upon-Hull, called it "a thoroughly dishonest Budget. It was a raid on Peter to avoid raiding Paul." Mr. G. Lansbury member for Poplar, called it " very clever juggling with figures." .' Miss Susan Lawrence, member for East Ham, termed it a " pirate Budget." Mr. J. H, Thomas, member for Derby, said: " Mr. Churchill has scientifically robbed the people in a way which commands the admiration of everybody." Mr. J. R. Clynes, member for Platting, Manchester, said: "This is Mr. Churchill's fiiiost performance. It is an effort to make people believe that taxes can be raised without anybody feeling them." Mr. Jack Jones, member for West Ham, said the increase in "the tobacco duty would hit the working man.