LARGE TAX RISES PROPOSED BY NEW FRENCH PREMIER

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1948, Page 5

LARGE TAX RISES PROPOSED BY NEW FRENCH PREMIER

(Rec. 10.0) ; LONDON, Sept. 17 The French Prime Minister, Dr Queuille’s proposals of increased taxation! have met with a cold reception in the Cabinet Committee and in the assembly, says the Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent. The lobby reaction suggests the possibility that the Government may be defeated when the measures are debated. Dr Queuille plans a twenty per cent increase in the general income tax, a thirty pei’ cent., rise in the land tax, and in the taxes on the profits of industrial, commercial, and agricultural concerns. He proposes to raise approximately fifty-eight millions sterling by direct taxation and thirty-five millions in indirect taxes by the end •if the year. (Rec. 11.30) LONDON, Sept. 17 The first of Dr Queuille’s new taxation degrees came into force to-day, says the British United Press correspondent at Paris. They include increased postal, telephone, and telegraph rates and higher prices for matches and cigarettes. French Strikes Extended PARIS, Sept. 17

Three hundred thousand metal workers in the Paris region, who are members of the Communist-led General Confederation of Labour, downed tools this afternoon until to-mor-row morning as a protest against high prices. Eighty per cent, of the Renault factory workers are still on strike Against this background of spreading strikes and dangerously frayed tempers, the Premier, Dr Queuille, presented his new economic and financial programme to the Finance Commission of the National Assembly. . . Dr Queuille s proposals are estimated to bring new revenue of £9,560„000 and effect £34,710,000 worth of economies in civil expenses. General de Gaulle’s bodyguard clashed with Communists who tried to break up a, de Gaullist rally m Renoble. General de Gaulle was unharmed, although tlfe combatants were a few feet away. They used fists, clubs and stones. Sseveral were injured before the police restored order.