CIVIL EXPENDITURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9090, 8 July 1915, Page 6

CIVIL EXPENDITURE

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Ily Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrizhl LONDON, July 6. The House of Lords is discussing Lord Middleton’s motion urging a reduction in civil expenditure. Lord Middleton said they had made as little financial preparation for the war os military preparation. Lord St. Aldwyn said he was disappointed that the Civil Service Esti-_ mates did not show a great reduction. Out of nearly 1300 millions of war expenditure, only eixty-eight millions was being raised by taxation. “Wo are,” he added, “deliberately casting the whole burden of the war on our successors.” It was bad policy, unfair to the country, and a disgrace to the present generation. The Government was blameworthy in not proposing additional taxation at the outset of tho war.

Lord Haldane said the House was not looking in, the face the most formidable fact they would have to meet. This would bo a different country after the war, because it would be a poorer country, and deprived of many advantages which had given it a unique position in commerce and industry. Lord Lorehurn said if wisdom did not come to the councils of Europe we were going straight to European bankruptcy in a comparatively short time.

THE GRAVEST ATTENTION.

(Received July, 7, 9 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. Lord Lansdowne, in the House of Lords, stated that the financial position ’gave cause for anxiety before the war, and it was now regarded with the gravest attention. It was not likely that the war expenditure would decrease. Therefore, it was imperative that the Government should not accept new and unnecessary liabilities.