FINANCIAL CARES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 9, 5 October 1917, Page 6

FINANCIAL CARES

THE GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS

MORE TAXATION POSSIBLE

-Financial obligations being put upon the Government by the War Pensions Bill anil by the regulations to be drafted pi\sjiding for increased allowances are causing' the leaders of the two great parties in .the House some concern. In. the Reform party there' is disagreement on the question of the amount of allowance or pension payable in respect of a, soldier's child, and there have been earnest talks on this point. There is in* bitterness in the disagreement as far :is can be learned, but the Prime Minister *as had to tell the members of his party that it is necessary to lake stock again, and 6ee what the new proposals may mean. It' is understood that already tho Government has gone further tban ib had intended to go when Hie Finance; Bill was prepared, and tliat if the House insists on still more generosity towards" soldiers' dependants the Government's finance calculations may be upset. There is a possibility that the position may- 1)9 met by the introduction later In the session of a supplementary Finance Bill to impose taxation sufficient to provide the money required to give the extra allowances and pensions. It is still probable, however, although it Is by no means certain, that the rates as proposed by the Government will sland without substantial alteration.