MR LANG’S BUDGET PROPOSALS RAISED THE STORM

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12608, 19 November 1926, Page 7

MR LANG’S BUDGET PROPOSALS RAISED THE STORM

Earlier messages stated :■ — The newspapers, generally taking time by the forelock, are strongly denouncing Mr Lang’s threatened tax on publications. It is described as mediaeval legislation which would press particularly heavily on the smaller country and suburban papers, and sound the knell of a large number of them, thereby adding to the number of unemployed. Country interests are also sore over Mr Lang’s proposals to increase the railway freights and convert a portion of the main roads vole towards meeting other expenses. DISSENSION IN PARTY Rumours are rife that there is trouble among tlie ■ members. of the Ministry and the ranks of the Labour

Party over Mr Lang’s proposals and methods. It is persistently reported that Mr P. F. Loughlin, Minister of Lands, intends to resign from the Ministry and challenge Mr Lang for the party leadA stirring time is anticipated when the House comes to deal with the -vexed State Governor question and the Budget items.

“BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS” LONDON. November 17.

Mr Lang’s proposed newspaper tax finds a prominent place in all the English newspaper headings. The papers express astonishment, and point out that he has gone back to the bad old days of 1712, when such a tax was imposed in England. It was finally abolished in 1855.