THE "GAG” APPLIED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6812, 7 May 1909, Page 5

THE "GAG” APPLIED

THE BUDGET DEBATE EFFECT OF ADDITIONAL TAXATION BURDENS. TEA „ DUTIES ADOPTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received 31 ay 6, 9.15 p.m.). LONDON, May 6. In the House o£ Commons yesterday the debate on the Budget proposals was continued. Mr Balfour, leader of the Opposition, presented corrected figures relating to the effect of the new taxation burdens imposed on a trading firm he quoted on Monday. He had then stated that the additional taxation in this case would amount to £35,000, or £7OOO more than the firm distributed to its ordinary shareholders. Mr Balfour yesterday said he now found the additional amount paid would be £2OOO, not £7OOO.

3lr Philip Snowden, Labour member for Blackburn, welcomed tire Budget, because it proposed to take from the rich to give to the poor. His object was to make the poor richer and the rich poorer. There was no other way under Heaven by which the poor could be made better off.

Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, justified the Budget as being' in accordance with free trade, and because it was adequate to meet the necessities of 1909 and the necessities of future years without taxing the necessaries of life. He described spirits and tobacco as luxuries or superfluities, and predicted that the consolidation of licenses and the raising of the price of beer would insure the stability and prosperity of the brewing industry. Mr Austen Chamberlain, formerly ■Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Balfour Administration, severely criticised the proposed destruction of the old sinking fund [by a reduction -of £3,000,000 in the current year’s contribution] and the increase in the income tax.

Mr 0. P. •(!. Masterman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government "Board, did not agree with Mr Snowden’s contention that the poorer classes should pay no taxes. A motion to apply the closure was then carried, by 308 votes to 200, amid cries of “Resign!” and “'Withdraw!” The Budget resolution imposing the tea duty was adopted by 332 votes to 179. .