THE BRITISH BUDGET.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1919, Page 5

THE BRITISH BUDGET.

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. 1 MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS. Received May 13, 5.S p.m. London, May 12. Interviewed by the London Times regarding the Budget proposals, Mr. Massey said: "They represent a very modest instalment of Imperial preference, but are very important ns an affirmation and admission of the principle, as well as of the fS.ct, that Imperial preference is now part of Great Britain's policy, as it has been of the Dominions for a number of years. There are othnr directions in which the principle may bo applied to that of inter-Empire communications, for example, and to financial transactions, one result of which is a heavy income-tax on Dominion and Colonial loans. Puht'c opinion is steadily growing in favor of such a preference, and Governments and Parliaments must lespond. The new policy will become an important factor in the Empire's prosperity and solidarity." The interviewer notes that Mr. Massey has secured the acceptance by the War Cabinet of 1917 of a resolution favoring the development of Imperial resources, and making the Empire independent respecting food supplies, raw materials, and essential industries. The resolution also affirmed the principle of Imperial preference.