BRITISH POLITICS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 11 April 1927, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

(Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, April 10. All J. L. Garvin, in an outspoken three-column article in “The Observer, ’ appeals to Mr Baldwin not to proceed wjtli the Trades Union Bill, “which sweeps far beyond what is necessary or wise. It has united against the Government both oppositions. who represent a large majority of the people.” Mr Garvin describes the Bill as a muddled miscellany, which destroys the spirit of industrial peace, jeopardising a full trade revival, and hd makes a grave appeal to Mr Baldwin to refer the vast and difficult question of reform of trade union law to a royal commission, “otherwise nothing can save the Government from the electoral wrath to come.” LONDON, April 8. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Churchill) is certain to face a critical audience in the House of Commons on Monday, with a record Budget of £800,000,000. The few who foresaw the possibility of a slight easement in the huge burden of taxation, have recognised the hopelessness thereof. In the enormous deficit, the general strike and the coal strike have come home to roost, and the country is faced by future burdens of taxation.

Public opinion has been roused by the speculation, as the form this will take.

Ardeut Government supporters are openly critical of the enormous Governmental expenditure, and the Conservative newspapers unhesitatingly declare that the Government has failed to redeem its economy pledge. Instead of reducing progressive expenditure by the promised £10,000,000 there has been an increase of £10,000,000.

Scores of Conservative back-bench-ers are perturbed at the position, and pressure from the constituencies has compelled them to band together to urge wholesale economy. It is expected that Mr Churchill will make a raid on the sinking fund to the extent of £20,000,000, and justify this step by reference to the disastrous industrial year, though the soundness of this argument is seriously questioned. The road fund, provided by direct motor taxation, is certain to be raided again, and this will allow the Chancellor to pass over the income tax, concerning which public opinion is over strong to risk an increase. The tobacco duty will almost assuredly be increased further to the extent of 7d per lb. It is said the idea is to tap the enormous profits of the tobacco trade, and to prevent their being passed on to the consumer.

Altogether Monday’s recital of national financial affairs promises to be the gloomiest. At the present moment, there is not a gleam of hope for the taxpayer. Everything is going on and nothing coming off. This has caused one of its strongest newspaper supporters to hint that the taxpayer can only expect relief by the Government going out. LONDON, April 10.

Most Sunday newspapers, in a forecast of to-morrow's Budget, agree that the income tax will not be altered, but there will be a tightening up of the super tax and the regulations to deal with tax dodgers, including the conver-

sions >of private estates into limited companies. There will be increased duties on wines and tobacco, and new taxes on imported motor tyres and petrol. The latter is suggested as a preliminary to a cha’nge in the method of motor taxation, from horse power to fuel basis.

Other prophecies include increased taxation on silks and betting.

Mr Churchill begins his Budget speech at four o’clock.