For Humanity

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 286, 6 May 1914, Page 5

For Humanity

BRITISH BUDGET PROPOSALS. MEALS FOR POOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. TEACHING THEM IS "MOCKERY AND TORTURE." THE LORD CHANCELLOR OUTLINES HIS IDEAS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 5, 10.5 p.m. London, May 4.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer made, a speech of two and a half hours, with practically no purple patches. The magnitude and intricacy of the proposals puzzled all parties. Mr Lloyd George said that relief rates averaged ninepence in the pound, in some cases Is 6d. A pre-condition lo the grant to local authorities would be efficient service in respect of the poor law, police, roads, and education. Parliament for fort; years had been imposing costly functions on local authorities without making provision to sustain them. Many acts, particularly in regard to housing, were dead letters, and in some districts, where the rateable value was low, municipal activity was at a sitandstill. Parliament practically acquiesced in the suspension of many laws because the local authorities were without means to carry them out. An essential part of the scheme was ii national system of valuation for local taxation, which would be more equitable and impartial between classes and localities than the present. Such valuation should separate site from improvement, but there was no intention to transfer the whole burden to the site. Half a million would be devoted to ueals for needy school children, physical training, and open air schools. HunIreds of .-thousands attended schools laily in a condition of semi-starvation, md the attempt to teach such children vas mockery and torture.

| NATIONAL NURSING SERVICE. I TRADE OUTLOOK SATISFACTORY ! HEAVIER TAXATION ON ACCUMULATED WEALTH. Received 5, 10.50 p.m. London, May 4.

Mr Lloyd George said that under the Voluntary Act, 360,000 children were relieved, but another 260,000 required help, and in future the State Exchequer would contribute half the cost of their meals.

Seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling would be spent, in developing a national nursing service and local centres for diagnosis and research. After consulting with the best authorities, Mr Lloyd George said he was of opinion that though there would be slackness in certain trades, others wouid tic busier than ever, and on the whole he expected no serious set-back to trade in 1914, which was likely to be an avcriige one. It was not safe to anticipate a continuation of the boom of 1913, but the depression would be shallow, and would not last long. Dealing . with taxation, Mr Lloyd George pointed out that direct taxation was now CO per cent, and indirect 40 per cent. When the Government came into office, each was 50 per cent. Death duties on estates of over £60,000 would be increased until the maximum of 20 per cent upon estates of a million was reached, instead of the present 15 ner cent, realising three milliins for the full year.

Continuing, the Lord Chancellor said the increases in the income and super tax would make a rrfifti with £IOO,OOO a year pay 2s fid in the £l, compared with the present Is Bd. A statutory declaration of total income would be enforced, under stringent penalties, in order to prevent investments abroad, where income could be accumulated as capital.

Mr Chamberlain said he would not attempt to debate the complicated changes, though he deprecated the raid on the sinking fund. The House of Commons agreed to tJv, income tax resolutions and adjourned. Some surprise is expressed in the lobby that (luring a period of embittered party controversy, the House of Commons should be asked to consider a complete re-casting of local government finance.

Some of the Unionists describe it la a dissolution Budget, owing to the heavy wills upon the rich.

The Liberals generally approve the Budget. 1

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TAXES ON WEALTH.

A DARIXG PROGRAMME.

London, May 4. The Budget estimated the revenue at £•200,(155,000 and the expenditure at £205.n55,000. Another four millions is required to assist local authorities. It is proposed to raise the nine millions by an additional tax on incomes over £IOOO, ranging from lO'/od to 16d up to £3000.. while the super-tax limit wiU be lowered to £3OOO.

The readjustments will yield £5,250,000, and the super-tax £2,500,000.

The death duties will be increased on estates of over £60,000, yielding £600,000.

A tax on capital invested abroad will yield C-2.10,000.

The balance of the deficit will be taken from the sinking fund.