HEAVY CALLS ON THE RICH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 3

HEAVY CALLS ON THE RICH

A DISSOLUTION BUDGET."

MAGNITUDE AND INTRICACY OF

PROPOSALS

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.)

LONDON, May 5. The Budget speech lasted two and a-half hours, and there were practically no "purple" patches, as the magnitude and intricacy of the proposals appalled all parties.

Mr Lloyd George said the relief rates averaged 9d m the £, and m some cases Is 6d. A precondition to a grant to local authorities would beefficient service m respect to poor law, police, roads, and education. Parliament for forty years had been imposing costly; functions on local authorities without making provision to sustain them. Many Acts, particularly the Housing Act, were dead letters m some districts where the rateable value was W and municipal activity at a standstill. Parliament practically acquiesced m the suspension of many laws because the local authorities were without the means to carry them out. The essential part of the scheme was a.na. tional system -of valuation for local taxation, which would be more equitable and impartial between classes and legalities than at present. Such, a valuation, would separate site from improvement, but there was no intention to transfer the whole burden to the site. Half-a-milJion would be > devoted to meals for needy school children, 'physical, training and open air schools. He said hundreds of thousands of pupils attended the sohols daily m a- condition of semi-starvation, and an attempt 'to teach them yras a mockery "and a torture. He said that under .the Voluntary Act 360,000 children were relieved, but another 260,Q00 required help. In future the Exchequer would contribute half-cost of meals. The sum of '£750,---000 would be 1 spent m developing a national nursing service and local centres for diagnosis and (research.

After consulting the authorities, Mr Lloyd George said -he was of opinion that though there may be a slackness m certain trades, others are busier than ever. On the whole he expected no serious set-back to take place m 1914, which was likely to be on the average. It was not safe to anticipate a continuation of the boom of 1913, but the de : pression would "be shallow and would not last long, . , • Dealing with taxation, Mr - Lloyd George pointed out that direct taxation was now 60 per cent, and indirect taxation 40 per cent. When the GovernI'ment came to office each was. £iO per cent. The death duties on estates valued at over £60,000 would be increased until a minimum of 20 per cent was. reached upon an estate of £1,000,000, instead of the present 15 per cent., realising three millions m a. full year. The increases m the income super-tax would make a man with £100,000 annually pay 2s 6d in -the' £1, as compared with the present Is Bd. Statutory declaration: of total income was enforced under stringent penalties, m order to prevent investments abroad where income accumulated as capital He announced that be. was doubling the maternity benefit. .„■■;. Mr Chamberlain said he .would not attempt to debate the ;. complicated changes. Though he deprecated tjie raid on the sinking fund; be 'though* the House of Commons agreed with the income tax resolutions. . :, The debate was adjourned. ' There is some surprise m the lobby that at a period of embittered party controversy the House of Commons is asked to consider a complete recasting of local government finance. Some Unionists describe it ai» • a Budget," owing to heavy calls upon the rich.

Liberals generally approve of th« Budget. i