CALL FOR THE PRUNING KNIFE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2508, 8 July 1915, Page 5

CALL FOR THE PRUNING KNIFE

REDUCTION IN CIVIL SERVICE*, EXPENDITURE . \ i , - i FINANCIAL ROCKS AHEAD By Telegraph—Press Association—Convrio-lit London, July 6. The House of Lords is discussing Lord Middloton's motion urging a reduction i|i civil expenditure. Lord Jliddleton said they had made as little financial, preparation for the war as they had military preparation. Lord St. Aldwy/i said he was disappointed that the Civil Service Estimates aid not- show a great reduction. Out of nearly 1300 millions of war expenditure only sixty-eight millions was being raised by taxation. "We are," he added, "deliberately, casting the whole burden, of the war on bur successors." It was bad _ policy, unfair to the country, and a disgrace to the. present' generation. Tlie Government was blameworthy in not proposing additional taxation at the outset of the. war. . Lord Haldane said the House was not. looking in the face the most formidable fact they would have to meet: This Would be a different country after the war, .because it would 'bo a poorer tountry, audi deprived of advantages which haa given it a unique position in commerce .and industry. Lord Loreburn said if wisdom did not come to the councils of Europe we were going straight to European bankruptcy in a comparatively short time. (Rec. July 7, 8.5 p m.) ■ V . London, July 7. Lord Lansdown'e' said that the financial position was a -cause for anxiety before the war, and was now regarded with the gravest attention/ It was unlikely that the war expenditure would decrease, and.it was therefore imperative that the Government should not accept new and unnecessaty liabilities.-'