BRITISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE BUDGET. TO BE PRESENTED ON THURSDAY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright • LONDON, September o. One of the most momentous secrets i;i British history will be revealed on Thursday next, when Sir Philip Snowden will submit his Budget. Meanwhile speculation on the prospective new taxes and economies continues. in addition to the ten per cent, cut in the dole, the Cabinet is reported to have agreed to reduce the pay of the teachers and of the police pay by 15 per cent, and by per cent, respectively.

A tax on tea, also on tobacco, and one on alcohol are expected. They are exnected to yield an additional 27 millions annually. The increase will be passed on to the customer. An early election is being expected in some quarters, as being a disruptive element, but the three Parties are preparing for an election in October, or in November. The “Observer” declares that the Conservatives favour an early appeal on an “Empire and employment” platform in the forefront, ,Speaking in his Derby constituency Mr J. H. Thomas, said that the Government’s financial policy would be announced in the Commons in u few days, The economies would he drastic. The measure of sacrifice that would be called for would be heavy, but when the proposals were known, the people would recognise not only the Government’s desire to spread the burden fairly, hut would find also economies. Those were believed by a majority of the late Cabinet to be essential. The crisis could .only be met by convineng the -world that Britain was able and intended to meet its obligations to the full. They must pursue a policy that would never again lead to any doubt as to Britain’s financial stability. He would be charged, lie said with thus agreeing to cut clown the unemployment pay by 10 per cent. His answer was that he was standing foursquare on a policy that saved the unemployed not only from 10 per cent, but perhaps from a 50 per cent. cut. He wanted to assure his constituents and all railway workers that he had not sacrificed his principles, only obeying the dictates of his conscience. He hoped that his lifelong connection with the rail- , wav men was severed onlv temporar- ? ily.‘

There was no meeting of Cabinet on Thursday. Many of the 31. junior Members whose appointment was announced late last night, took up duties on Friday* Mr MacDonald has gone to Chequers for the week-end. He will at* tend Cabinet on Monday evening, amt the assembly of Parliament on Tuesday, when lie will have nn important statement to make to the Commons, The political parties are engaged in preparations for the special session. The Conservatives and Liberals have each issued a three-line whip to their followers. The Parliamentary Labour Party meet on Tuesday' morning to consider the immediate policy. Four more appointments to the National Government were announced tonight:—Lord Privy Seal, Lord Peel (Conservative); Paymaster-General, Sir Tudor Walters (Liberal); Solicitor-Gen. eral for Scotland, >l. O. Watson, who served under , the late Government, G. 31. Gillett, who was Minister for Overseas Trade in the Labour Government, becomes. Parliamentary Secretary to tne Minister of Transport.

PREMIER’S PROMISES. LONDON, September 5. A number of miners’ wives at Easington Colliery, in Durham, wrote to Air MacDonald, expressing admiration of his policy. Air MacDonald, replying said: “I have devoted the whole of my public life to building defences for my fellow workers, and I am not the man to desert them now. I will die as I have lived, loyal servant of you all.” PRAYERS ASKED. TO OVERCOME CRISIS. LONDON, September 6. The Archbishop of Canterbury is calling for national prayers on behalf of the National Government, of Parliament and of the nation. He urges every Christian citizen to pray to God to give the Government, wisdom and courage, and to give the nation a spirit of ready and willing sacrifice.