BRITISH FINANCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1492, 15 July 1912, Page 5

BRITISH FINANCE.

BANKERS PESSIMISTIC. MR. LLOYD.GEORQE ON THE FOREIGN OUTLOOK. EFFECT OF DEATH DUTIES. By Telegraph—Press Aesociation—Copyright (Eec. July 15, 0.80 a.m.) London, July W. Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of tho Exchetiuei , , in speaking at (ho bankers' dinner at tho Mansion House, said tho international situation had never been bettor than at present. There was nothing to create uneasiness. Tho prevailing prosperity iof trade was sound and likely to endure, and tho injury anticipated through the coal strike had not been realised. Ho did not anticipate any further overpowering labour troubles. Mr. Alfred Cole, Governor of the Bank of England, said the last twelve months had been a period of groat industrial 'and financial unrest. The. feeling of insecurity in Home investments continued and was encouraging investment abroad. Taxation had severely'hit breweries and 'land. Consob were now at the lowest point during tho present generation and the situation demanded the most serious attention, for what would bo tho position of the Gov-. eminent if it should want to borrow on a large . scale. Ho attributed the forcing down of gilt-edged securities largely to the death duties, which had totalled ■£129,000,000 in a period of six years.