LAND TAX V. TARIFF.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 655, 4 November 1909, Page 7

LAND TAX V. TARIFF.

FINANCE BILL. A.UNIONIST MOTION TO REJECT IT. PLEA FOR PROTECTION. (By Telegraph-Press ABeoeiation.-Oopyrleht) (Reo. November 3, 9.25 p.m.) i, . > ■ London, Novombor 3. 0 In tho House of Commons Mr. Austen Chamr berlftin, who was Chancellor of tho E\choquor ~ in the la=t Unionist Government,. mo\ed tho 0 rejpction of the Finance Bill. Mi. Chamberlain denounced tho underlying j principle of placing special bin dens on special n people. Incidentally ho remarked that much ~ of tho Friendly Societies' money was invested [_ in land which would be subject to the increment tax of one-fifth, when they turned it 0 over and dealt with it. 1 Ministerial cries: "Why not?" e Mr. Chamberlain continued: "That is an ado mission of.which, we have token note. One y man can hold up his land for five )ears merely by leasing it to a cricket or a football club, t whilo another will be taxed for developing it." 0 Tho Budget, ho added, had gravely injured 1 the building and licensed and tobacco trades. Such taxes on these industries might be used as a lost resource in a great emergency; thoy j wore grievous if necessary, and criminal if un- [ necessary. Mr. Chamberlain proceeded: "Let the Go\ernmcnt seek to build up, ini stead of seeking to destroy. Let tho GovernI ment cease to ruin particular trades by bur- [ dons too heavy for them to bear. "If necessary, spread tho net wider. Let the vast mass of foreign import's competing with i tho products of oui industries pay some toll to benefit the markot they enjoy. Ghc security for industry and for employment, and tho Treasury will share the prosperity not of a class, but of the, nation. "Put our people on an equality with others, give thein a fair start in tho raco, nhd.l an not afraid of tho result. You will open new sources of revenue and find work for tho work, less, bread for the hungry." Sir William Robson, Attorney-General, speaking to Mr. Chamberlain's motion, justified tho taxing of tho unearned increment, -n liich often meant unexpected wealth. The Finance Bill was not Socialistic. Socialism aimed at substituting State action for individual enterprise. The Bill protected individual enterprise where it was imperilled. Doubtless this Budget's object was something more than a financial object, and Mr. Chamberlain's object would also bo more. Tho AtlornejGeneral added. "I am glad tho Bill is not framed without regard to higher considerations which put finance on a higher plane."