BRITISH BUDGET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 92, 22 April 1904, Page 2

BRITISH BUDGET.

LONDON, April 30. Sir Ilenry Cuui|H*?il-Dttmienuan (Leader of the Opposition) congrar tulated Mr Austen Chanityjrlain on his lurid and masterly statement, and applauded his courage in not trenching on tlio sinking funds. He complained of the enormous growtb of expenditure, and urged that such headlong- extravagance must bo arrested. The Kiglvt Hon. C. T. Ritchie (late Chancellor of the Exchequor). in the main approved of the proposals The Klgjht lion. 11. R. Haldane suggested a Hoyul Commission to inquire into the incidence of Indirect taxation. t Sir Micliael liicks-Heach (Chancellor of the KxchiVfuer before Mr liitehie) doubted the wisdom of iftcreasing the lolmcco tax by a shilling!. An income tax in times Ol' peace ■dangerously reduced the na* tional resources in the event of war. He saw no sufficient justification for increasing the navy estimates. Mr Lough moved an amendment rejecting the tea tax in the interests of India and Ceylon. It was negiatived by 265 to 198. and the tax approved of bv u majority of 81. ' . » The tobacco tax passed by 200 to 10<S. Mr Austen Chamberlain has received many congratulations from members of Parliament. and the press. Consols rose when it was known the Kinking) fund was untouched, and dealings in the street. closed at 88 J. j The Budget is not considered a - dissolution one. ■>. Tliu amount, of revenue the new tobacco duties are estimated to yield is £550,000.