BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1927, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

(Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.] BRITISH OEI’CiT. , LONDON, April S. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Air Winston Churchill, is certain to face a critical audience in the House of Commons on Monday, with a record budget of eight hundred millions. A few, who foresaw the possibility of a slight easement in the huge burden of taxation, have now recognised the hopelessness thereof in the enormous budget deticit. The general strike and the coal strike ‘have come home to roost, and the country is faced by future burdens of taxation. Public opinion is roused by speculation as to the form this new taxation will take. Ardent Government supporters are openly critical of the enormous Governmental expenditure, aflf, the Conservative newspapers unhesitatingly declare that the Government has failed to redeem its economy pledge Instead of its reducing the progressive expenditure by the promised ten nu!*-v lions, there has been an increase of ten millions. Scores of Conservative back-benches are perturbed at the position, and the pressure on them trom their constituenceies lias compelled them to band together to urge wholesale economy. It is expected that Mr Churchhill wilF make a raid on the debt sinking fund to the extent of twenty millions, and that he will justify this step by a reference to the disastrous past industrial year. However, the soundness of this argument as to the bad year is seriously questioned. The road fund, which has been provided by the direct motor taxation, is certain to be raided again. This raid will allow the Chancellor to pass over income tax without raising it. Concerning such taxation, public opinion is over-strong to risk an increase. The tobacco duty will almost assuredly he increased further to the extent of sevenpence per pound. It is said the idea is to tap the enormous profits of the tobacco trade, and to prevent the tax increase being passed on to the consumer. Altogether, Alonday’s recital of the nation's financiml affairs promises to x \ he the gloomiest. At the present moment. there is not a gleam of hope lor the taxpayer. Everything is going on, and nothing coming off. This has caused one of the strongest newspaper supporters to hint that the taxpayer can only expect relief by the present Government going out. THE COAIiNG BUDGET. . (Received this day at S a.in.) LONDON, April IQ.-- ' Al.ost of the Sunday newspapers, in a forecast of to-morrow’s Budget, agree that income tax will not he altered, hut. there will he a tightening of the super tux and regulations to deal with tax dodgers, including conversions of private estates into limited companies. 'There will he increased duties on wines and tobacco, and new taxes on imported motor tyres and petrol. The hitter is suggested as a. preliminary in the change in the method of motor taxation front horsepower to a fuel basis. Other prophesies include increased taxation on silks and on betting. Air begins his Budget speech at 4 o’clock.