BUDGET UNDER FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 14 May 1925, Page 7

BUDGET UNDER FIRE.

Pension Bill Assailed.

REJECTION BY LABOUR SOUGHT.

By Cable —Press Association—Copyright, Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received May 13, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. The Labour Opposition in the Houb„ of Commons has decided to move for the rejection of the Government’s Pensions Bill ; pending knowledge as to the length of the summer recess.

SILK TAX DEFENDED.

THE CHANCELLOR’S EXPLANATION,

By Cable—Pres* Association—Copyright.

Auitraiian and N.Z. Cable Association,

LONDON, May 12. In the House of Commons, Mi Churchill announced, with regard to the present scale-oi silk duties, that not ail details were absolute or final. Immediately the Budget resolutions passed finally, there would begin discussions with real and artificial silk trades. The Government merely asked the House to assent to the principle of the tax, after which all parties, including the Government, would be free to revise the present scale. It was impossible to tax real silk and leave artificial silk free. Both must be treated equally. Silk taxes were an essential part of the Government’s policy of broadening the basis of taxation.

Labour amendments postponing the operation of the silk duties from July 1 to December 1, and omitting Customs duty on artificial silks were rejected, and the resolution authorising the Customs and excise duties on silk Was carried by 330 to 166. This completed the report stage on all the Budget resolutions, after which the Finance Bill, founded thereupon, was introduced and read p. first time.