BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1926, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS

[Reuter Telegrams.] BUDGET VIEWS. {Received this day at 11.0 a.rn.) LONDON, April 27. British and Dominion traders arc delighted with the Budget proposal to stabilise preferences for ten years, considering it removes the annual fear of alteration or revocation which previously had been the greatest deterrent to the fullest exploitation of the Empire’s commodities. Ben Morgan said: '“lt means an enormous advance in the development of preferences and will justify the employment of greater capital in Empire industries, resulting in an expansion of inter-Empire trade.” "Motor Trade” points out the extension of the McKenna duties to commercial vehicles will assist in the development of exports, which will be further stimulated if petrol, instead of horsepower, is taxed in 1927 as promised, resulting in the more extensive manufacture of long stroke engines suitable for Dominion requirements.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 27. In the Commons, Mr Britten asked whether in view of the fact that one Dominion is restoring Imperial penny postage, .and another internal penny postage, the Postmaster-General will bring up the Empire penny postage question at the Empire Conference. Mitchell Thomson replied. “As tho financial position of this country' would not allow the sacrifice involved, 1 do not think there is any occasion to initiate, a discussion at Ihe Oon"feronee.” Mr Britten : “Will it ho Brought, up there.” Mr Mitchell Thomson: “T cannot say.” BUDGET COMMENT. (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.t LONDON, April 27. In the Commons, Mr Snowden during tlio budget debate, said the betting lax was imposed in the face of expert , opinion that collusion between backers and bookmakers was very easy and both were interested in the evasion. Mr Churchiill was at the end of bis resources when ho degraded the revenue by a tax on one of the greatest present evils. Last year it was a rich mail’s budget. He could now say it was a budget of a profligate bankrupt. Sir J. Simon wished it clearly understood that any future ministry could sweep away the whole protective system recently created.

Harmswortn congratulated Air Churchill on tbe preference proposals and hoped a future budget would include some steps in tbe direction of a real trading agreement between the different Dominions and the Mother Country.