NO SURPRISES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24250, 16 April 1942, Page 8

NO SURPRISES

CHANCELLOR'S AIMS CURTAILING CONSUMPTION GENERAL PUBLIC AGREEMENT (■Reed. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 14 The first reactions to Sir Kingsley Wood's "austerity Budget" indicate that it has produced almost no surprises. Indeed it has found the people generally relieved that strictly unnecessary items have borne the brunt of the new taxation. Lt is generally recognised that the Chancellor's main purpose was not so much to produce revenue as to curtail consumption, with the ultimate aims of saving shipping space and diverting public money to the war effort. Most people agree with the methods employed. Social Change Seen The Times says: "If the Government gives the kind of lead which the Chancellor has indicated, the country will not only be willing but eager to follow." The Daily Mail states: "The Budget, coupled with the Cabinet plan for rigid control of hotel and restaurant meals, marks the beginning of a profound social change. The Government's determination to put luxuries out of the reach of even the richest clearly emerges." The Daily Telegraph comments that it can now be truly said that finance has ceased to be a mystery apart and has been brought within easy reach of the general understanding. Labour Journal's View The Daily Herald characterises the Budget as mild, merciful and mediocre and says: "It does not even enter the anteroom of financial realism. It comes nowhere near decisively grappling with the money problems of total war. The Cabinet has not decided to implement the enthusiastic precept of 'equal sacrifice.' " The Herald praises the additional luxury imposts, but says the Budget does not contain any proposals which, will end the disparity between the working classes and the happier section to which the war so far is a prolonged flag day instead of an event demanding the utmost sacrifice from all classes.