WINSTON’S BUDGET.

Shannon News, 6 February 1925, Page 3

WINSTON’S BUDGET.

[ (From Our Own Correspondent). LONDON, November 20. Mr Winston Churchill, I hear, is already attacking the problem of next year’s Budget. He will not find it easy to realise the high expectations founded upon his Chancellorship. The City is already talking hopefully of reduced income tax and a return to penny postage. Such concessions are ardently to be desired in the interests of revival of trade, but, after all, Mr Churchill cannot achieve the impossible, and somehow or other will have to make his revenue balance expenditure. He is understood to be studying various financial schemes which his father had under consideration when he “forgot Goschen.” Mr. Churchill’s impending visit to Paris, by the way, is interpreted in some quarters as showing intention on his part to secure repayments of debt from France. It will not be easy. Disputed Liberal Leadership. The defeat sustained by the Liberals at the present election has not had the result of drawing them closer together, as some optimists in that party prophesied. On the contrary, we are assured by one of their own organs that the deep fissure in their depleted ranks has been emphasised. Ie is, of course, the old question of Asquith or Lloyd George. These two statesmen are now on friendly terms, and the feud between them is quite healed, but their followers still nurse their old grievances, particularly the anti-Lloj’d Georgeites. The consequence is that the pai*ty is still in a state of divided loyalty. This has been emphasised by Captain Wedgwood Benn, one of the most popular and capable Liberal members, who definitely refused to acknowledge Mr. Lloyd George as his leader in the House of Commons. An awkward position Unis arises, as there is no immediate prospect of Mr Asquith returning to the House, and Mr Lloyd George would seem to be the only alternative. Sir John Simon would certainly not be acceptable to the Parliamentary party, more than half of its members being avowed followers of Mr Lloyd George. Added to all this is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction with the party organisation, and the constitution of the small committee appointed to investigate it is being severely criticised. Prime Minister and Paris.

Although a visit to Paris by the Prime Minister is only "in the air." there is, I understand, some prospect of it materialising early in the New Year. There is every possibility of Mr and Mrs Baldwin spending a week or two at one of the Continental health resorts, possibly Evian les Bains, early in January. The Prime Minister may take the opportunity of meeting the French Prime Minister when on the Continent, either in passing through Paris to the Alps or on the return journey. Mr Baldwin derives great benefit from these sojourns abroad, and generally makes such a journey at least once during ‘rho winter months. Ex-Premier’s Plans. Though nothing has been finally there is a strong probability that Mr Ramsay MacDonald may make a tour of the United States before very long. The ex-Premier is not a rich man, and journalism is not a very lucrative profession, even to an ex-Premier, when the glamour attached to that high position wears off. Mr MacDonald will probably realise a. big sum from writing his reminiscences, but still more substantial fees would probably accrue if ho accepts lecturing engagements in the States. It is suggested that. Lord Thomson may accompany him to America. Miss Ishbel MacDomlld, I am told, is hoping that she may be taken too. Food Prices. The Government is being criticised in advance for its reported intention of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the question. of high food prices. Objection is taken that such Commissions proceed slowly and take time to report, and further that the Linlithgow Report made some time ago contains most of the facts needed. It must be pointed out, however, that it is quite possible for a Commission to set to work and report promptly. One great advantage such a commission possesses over every other form of inquiry, when endowed with (lie usual powers is that it can compel witnesses to attend before it and answer upon oath, and also enforce the production of documents. These powers would be invaluable in an inquiry of this nature. Russian Art. Miss Susan Lawrence certainly ought to be thanked for the opportunity she Ims given London to see examples of Soviet Russian art. The post o s exhibited at the Whitechapel Gallery have been loaned by her, and were secured during her recent trip through Russia. The colouring is crude, and at times rather brutal, and tlie ideas are not very striking, but the actual craftsmanship of line and mass proves beyond question that Russian art is not dead. The young Russian school is sharing in the new European movement towards simplicity. and has not been killed by the Soviet regime.

Russian Refugees. There is quite a colony of Russian aristocrats in London, who have settled down into their new life, and are making good in various occupations. One lady with a famous name is running an hotel, another a country club. The dress salons of the West End have, in several cases, ladies of Royal Czarist blood connected with them. There is Princess Nina, the wife of Prince Chavchavadze, who, with her mother-in-law, Princess Troubetzlsey, owns and manages the smart dressmaking establishment in Berkeley street. Only a few years ago Princess Troubetzkey was among the wealthiest women in Southern Russia. Now she designs frocks and sells them as If she has been doing it all her life. Next Tuesday they are giv-

j ing a reception at the Carlton Hotel jto exhibit their latest creations to ! Society, which always makes a point of crowding to the smart dressmakers to see whether there are any changes in the fashions. Cabinet Clothes. Our old friend the "Tailor and Cutter” has been casting a critical eye over the tailoring of the members of the new Cabinet. On the whole, the verdict is satisfactory, though Mr Baldwin himself is criticised for going about with his coat unbuttoned. Mr Churchill is described, not for the first time, as looking more like an impresario than a statesman. To Mr Austen Chamberlain, however, the chief bouquets are thrown. He is "the real leader of fashion-debonaire, well turned out ,and wears his clothes with an air.” This, of course, is very fitting in a Foreign Minister. As for Lord Birkenhead, we are told that “he has good clothes, and knows how to wear them.” Will not one of the tobacco trade journals oblige next with a criticism of the Ministerial cigars? We should like to know something, too, about their motor cars. The subject is not nearly exhausted. Latest Craze. Certain smart Parisians are wearing real live little monkeys as neck ornaments, and the zoo department of some of London's big stores are looking hopefully and critically at their stock of tame monkeys. But there is, of course, a snag! They are very difficult little things to keep alive in this uncertain climate, and, since only the very smallest are permitted to nestle under My Lady’s chin, they are likely to be very costly “jewels.” Nevertheless, I foresee a boom in the monkey trade if the craze should spread to London. Russian Ballet. Everyone is very excited at the news that the famous Russian Ballet, which delighted London in the prewar years and as recently as three years ago, is again to return for a brief season at the Coliseum, starting on Monday, November 24th. M. Serge Diaghileff, the famous ballet producer, is bringing with him to England, many of the favourite, dancers in his company, including Tchernicheva, Sokolova, and Leon Woizikoski. Their programme, everybody is Slelighted to hear, is to include “The Three-Cornered Hat,” “The Good-Humoured Ladies,” “La Boutique Fantasque,” and “Prince Iger.” These were the ballets which drew the whole of fashionable and artistic London to the theatre where M. Diaghileff’s company was performing in the old days, and will doubtless draw them again next week. Book Department.

Mr H. G. Wells still occasionally meets old friends who remind him of the days when he served behind the counter of a provincial shop. He was accosted by one the other day, who heard Wells had progressed, but was not clear how. “They tell me you’re getting on fine since you left the old shop,” he said. Thanks; l‘m not doing badly,” replied the puzzled author. "They tell me you’re at Harrods now,” said the other respectfully. “Ah, yes,” replied H. G., comprehendingly, “in the book department.

Correct Deportment. It i; nice to be able to command the acme of good manners at the eminently respectable price of 7/0. That is what i s asked tor a little book of the subject which Lady Kitty Vincent has written for the benefit of the uninitiated. Lady Kitty Vincent is a sister of Lo, d Airlic, and, though she has dabbled in journalism before, this is, I believe, the first time she has written a book. It is unlike all books in this o.ie particular—in veiw of its subject the author must have hesitated about dedicating it to any particular individual. tl would not have been “good manners.” Profitable “Mugs.” There is a man now staying at a West End hotel, who runs an office in California, and makes about £4,000 a year. Every penny of that income comes from male and female ”mugs,” who have written to a certain film star in admiration or for advice. He has “bought” this lady’s casual correspondence, and, in return for an annual “rent,” is under obligation to write In her name to a)H “fans,” and may make anything- he can by the way. Some thousands of men and women write every year to know how to get on the films. They are offered books on the subject at a fee. Thousands more want autographed photographs. They cost a dollar each, and a typist applies the autograph. Others send expensive presents, and receive, a graceful little letter of thanks—written by a hard-headed business man, cigar in mouth. The lady is also quite pleased. Before she sold her correspondence she had to employ four secretaries, and it took her two hours a day just to skim through her morning mail. The Riviera Season. Villas on the Riviera are almost unprocurable this -winter. There seems to be a movement towards the greater privacy they offer, and the demand both for houses and for flats greatly exceeds the supply. Rents, as a consequence, have soared to fabulous heights. On the other hand, the hotels, faced with this new competition, are relatively reasonable, and you can command first-class accommodation at anything from 60 to 100 francs a day. Nice, Monte Carlo, and Mentone are filling up rapidly, but English people in particular are seeking quiet on the outskirts. It is the Americans, for the most part, who insist on being in the full blaze of the limelight all day and all night. Lord Haldane. A personal friend of Lord Haldane tells me that some anxiety is felt about the ex-Lord Chancellor’s health* and it is quite certain, even if the unexpected were to happen in a year or two, that he will never be able to take office again. The worries and fatigues of the Chancellorship place an almost unbearable strain on any man. and especially on one who has left the middle years behind him so decisively 'as has Lord Haldane. He has aged ten year* in the last twelve months.