BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

THE SITUATION. OSTE OF GRAVE PORTENT ; SUDGET PROPOSALS CRITICISE^ ,/ - Keoeivid April ( 10.55 g.m, London, April 6. j. Newspapers attach importance to to- ' daj*s Cabinet meeting, which is the first full meeting'for 4 month, owing to Mr. • Asqnith's absence. - The Daily 'Mail, in an alarmist article, , suggeststhat the meeting may bring the compaleion issue to a crisis. The paper says a' majority in the Commons Ufjlon genera} compulsion, and that Mr. has already declared that he would resign ■ office when general compulsion was introduced. Much depends upon Mr. Bonar Law, who is threatened by a revolt of a powerful Unionist tion.' Thi»' paper adds; "If Mr. Bonar law ■ takes a firm stand, Mr. Asquith must ■ except it or see the TJnionis-t members of the Cabinet; Tesign." \ The Daily Chronicle says the position . rendered difficult owing to reckless newspapers and politicians seeking to . bring down the Government by hook or ?*«y croak; but, happily, the moderate •lament in the Unionist, party may save >h'e situation. The Daily News remarks that the iariff reformers' dissatisfaction with the Budget, coupled with the compulsion question, may result in the most difficult (ituation that the Government has had jto deal with.. : Daily Telegraph says that the Budget is a financial mistake at the expense <>f the direct' taxpayer. The Government bad not the moral courage to distribute taxation by customs duties, fgarlng; a split upon preferential tariffs. COMMENTS ON THE BUDGBTj RAILWAY TICKETS TAX, 1 u . 'London, April 6. j- .•"wspapem, in commenting on tfli* dwell on the significance of raisie* 300 million sterling yearly by extra '■coition. Their chief criticism is di•tr.ied against the taxation on railway ' Wraeys are twt taxed, and that only Sure* over ninepence for a single journey pay a penify, and then a penny for every extifc shiffing. papers,-however, consider that ait tax is a serious mistake. There is , little joy-riding nowadays, and most • travelling is a necessity, like rent. Oinepjaa.-will be an important part in the. amusehnent tax, for at least ten million, people, visit the picture palaces weekly. Pefiny matinees for children in the' working class districts are taxed 50 JW Cent. It ij» expected that the Government will issue a stamp which the public wW purchase with the ticket.

' VIEWS OF&ORTHCLIFFE PRESS. Time»and Sydney Sun Services, , Received April 6, 8.5 p.m. London, April 5. The Times, in a leader, says that the colossal Budget figures are in one respect satisfactory, and the estimate is not higher than expected. In the opinion of the' Government the limit of the scale lias, been reached, but w« considerably doubt the justification ,fos raising the income-tax. There is little objection to the customs «nd excise levies and the tax Otv amusements, but we think the rail ticket tax is a serious mistake and is the weakest feature of the Budget. The Government shows a timid avoidance, of the larger problem of further import duties. The Daily .Mail, in a leader, says the Budget is Best summed up as "economy by compulsion." Mr. McKenna's measures .are heroic, but the public- responds cheerfully. The nation expects the Govcrnment'Bi July Budget to impose an import tariff, preventing the Germans re- ' gaining a hold on the market. The necessity men and machinery cannot be found at pfcsetit to give effect to fiscal proposals discriminating against enemies in tM terms ol Mr. McKenna's statement. ' The Government intention at present is Wit to" act in connection with stifling .German influence; but after the war tilers wil v be routed widespread surprise. 'Although not -specifically mentioned, tar- ■ iff* concerning the Dominions are clearlj indicated; Cabinet is at present < utffcnfaixJua in its -attitude towards Ger■oa trade; 7 Jn the course of lug Budgfei speech Hf, JfoKenna said: "I bare not discussed flmfhtf ft* 1 duties #n ; «drt not now be the action fi'iem 'ft > . t0

ourselves and injurious to our enemies, with my colleagues, but I am satisfied that an attempt in this direction would i>e met with an insuperable preliminary difficulty." There is much speculation whether this Is final or whether a resumption of Mr. Hughes' negotiations, backed up by the solid feeling of most commercial circles, would induce reconsideration. ■—l_Z~ 1 >, STRIKING COMMENT. . 4 ■ SIR GEORGE REliys .VIEWS. Eeceived April 0, 8.30 p.m. London, April 5. During the Budget debate most of the speakers condemned the railway ticket tax. The debate was mainly on the free trade an dtariff reform lines. Sir George Reid regretted ii*at Mr. (MeEenna's speech had not contained an assurance ol the removal of the double income-tax. If the Dominions had not borne the expense of their own troops the base of his observations would have •been gone. It seemed a3 hard to get justice out of tie Treasury as to get one's garments out of the teeth of the British bulldog. He ihoped that when Empire problems were considered all ■theorists and fiscal maniacs would be excluded. The Evening News says that the tariff question must be dealt with in the next Budget (in July), or after the Paris trade conference. The nation will demand tariffs to keep the German trade octopus out of Britain, as we know the overseas dominions and our allies,-will keep it out. It is not a question of "tariff reform," but the matter involves the protection of our children's children from the evils we now suffer, *♦ , CONTRABAND, [ ' London, April 5. In the House of Commons, replying to a question, Lord Robert Cecil said that as the war progressed it became clear that the list of contraband must be ex- ! tended. It was proposed to add a number of articles immediately. 1 BREWING IMPORTS. London. April 5. Mr. Runciman announced that from April 1 the output of beer would be reduced 28 per cent, as compared with 1913-14. A Bill to give effect to this would be introduced next week. The reduction was equivalent to a restriction of brewing imports of about 33%. per cent. _J pr„.; . . MEDAL FOR BRAVE MEN. Received April 6, 8.35 p.m. London, April 5. 'A Royal warrant institutes a military medal for 'bravery of non-commissioned officers and men.