NOTES ON THE BUDGET.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17687, 16 April 1929, Page 7

NOTES ON THE BUDGET.

DECREASE IN TEA DUTY. MR PHILIP SNOWDEN’S CRITICISM SHAMELESS ELECTION BRIBERY. (By reieprann—Press Assn. —copyright.) (Australian Press Association.; (Received April 16, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 15. The reduction of the harbour duties applies only to the herring industry. The lea duty remission means a reduction in price to the public of 4d per pound. The benefits of the de-rating scheme are to be applied to agriculture forthwith and the other industries in October. In. view of the criticism that brewers, distillers and tobacco manufacturers would benefit from the derating measure designed to assist distressed industries, the increased duties imposed on these three industries would counter balance the gains under de-rating.

Conservatives’ Swan Song,

Mr Philip Snowden, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer of the MacDonald Cabinet, following Mr Churchill said the Budget was really an electioneering speech. It was very different from what the House was led to expect. A more shameless piece of election bribery had never been presented by any political party, j The speech was in the nature of a “swan song.’’ If the Ministerialists- thought the Budget would be of advantage to them at the elections they were un-der-rating the intelligence of the electors.

Mr • Lloyd George’s Objection.

Mr Lloyd George said he did. not complain that it was an electioneering speech. “ What I object to is the high moral standard Mr Churchill takes of anyone else who has an electoral purpose in his mind. He was severe about my suggesting borrowing £200,000,000, but he himself spent £400,000,000 without providing anything like substantial employment. From the point of view of dealing with a grave situation the Budget is an extremely disappointing affair.’’ The usual Budget resolutions were agreed, and the House rose.