IN BRITAIN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 10 (Supplement)

IN BRITAIN.

| THE BUDGET DEBATE. J Bfy Cablt — Press Association — Copyright. i LONDON, May 1. ' Sir Donald Maclean, resuming the budget debate, said that the great Spending departments which were ■Spreading devastation throughout the fpuntry must be curbed. The late j»r Joseph Chamberlain had said that complete Imperial preference would jsavariably entail taxes on food. f 'Mr Austen Chamberlain interjfeosed: Tlie Government does not in•fbnd to impose new food taxes. 4 Sir Donald Maclean went on to say 3»at a great trade with the Dominions jfculd not be developed without ifranting preference on corn, meat, |nd wool. He regretted that he must Sght the proposal. \: Colonel Amcry defended the Government's proposal. He said that .pis was not a direct issue between Sfree trade and protection; it was a Question of whether we Regarded the (Empire as a unit, and whether we 'liere willing to promote intercourse, auderstanding, and development, puis strengthening the Dominions. It .was a worthy policy to carry out, . arrespective of the old party divipons. 'We were entering on a new Seriod in the Empire's history, and aught to deal with industrial, social, : economic problems in a new jspirit, aiming at a wider unity.

y UNEMPLOYMENT DONATIONS,

I Auit.raVuih and ST.Z. Cable Associating. BRcc. May 3, 10.20) LONDON, April 30. , Mr G. J. Wardle, in replying to the jßebate on the unemployment donations, said the reports of the abuses $f the donations were greatly exagterated. The Government was taklg the necessary steps to check

fhem. The present system of dona■lfions to civilians would end on NoSjrember 24. The donation had proved pin insurance against Bolshevism, and 'Jfcad been a profound relief to bunreds of thousands who were faced rith the spectre of unemployment. \ BEER AND SPIRIT DUTIES. LONDON, May 2. The brewers and distillers are Organising opposition lo the Budget joeei* and spirit duties; ■ The Labour Baity intends to move amendments lo the Budget, demanding a levy on capital, the continuance 4»f the excess profits tax, the withdrawal of imperial preference, and fhe raising of the income tax exemption limit to £250.

A NEW LOAN. LONDON, May 2, It is reported that the Government Ss shortly issuing a great funding Dan in the form of 4* per cent, consolidated stock. The issue price will Jbe 80. The loan is repayable by taeahs of a sinking fund, which will Entirely redeem it by 1977. CONTROL OF GOODS. LONDON, May 1. All seeds, nuts, oils, and fats have jbeen freed from control, but the Siaximum price of copra has been xed at £4O per ton.