THE BRITISH BUDGET

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9527, 26 June 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH BUDGET

LIBERALS FINANCIAL POLICY. PREPARING FOR CONTINGENCIES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright, Received June 25, 8.20 a.m. LONDON, June 24. Mr R. B. Haldane, Secretary for War, presided at a gathering of two hundred members of the House of Commons called to consider the position of the Government in regard to the Budget. A scheme was submitted to hold meetings in favour of the Government's financial proposals in every constituency. Mr Winston Churchill was appointed chairman of th-3 Executive Committee. Right Hon. T. Lough member for West Islington ino"ec], and the Hon. Ivor Guest (Cardiff) seconded, an amendment to the effect that no meetings be held of constituents against the wishes of the Liberal members representing them. • This was withdrawn, upon Mr Haldane giving a satisfactory verbal assurance on the matter. Mr Churchill stated that a very critical period was approaching for the Government, and vigorous agitation was necessary as a safeguard against certain eventualities. The meeting is regarded as demonstrating the Government's belief that the Budget is seriously menaced. GENERAL MEETING OF PROTEST. Received June 25, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, June 24. An enormous public meeting was held in the City to protest against the Government's Budget. Scores of leading Members of the House of Commons, bankers and investors of all creeds and parties took part in the demonstration, which was marked by great enthusiasm. Lord Rothschild, who was chairman, contradicted several of Mr Lloyd-George's statemets in regard to the methods of taxation in Germany and France, and accused the j Government of attempting to establish Socialism and Collectivism. Lord Avebury, formerly Sir John Lubbock, said that during sixty years he had never known such a remarkable meeting. It was not political, but purely to deal with questions of finance and economics. He severely analysed the details of the Budget, and protested againet the raising of a larger revenue than was required. Sir Felix Schuster, member of the Council of India, and Governor of the Union of London and Smith's Bank, said many of those present could tell Mr Asquith where British capital was going, in order to evade the new taxat on. The speakers included Mr Lawrence Curtis, president of the City of London Liberal Association, and many other prominent Liberals were present.

THE BUDGET LEAGUE. ONE THOUSAND MEETINGS CONTEMPLATED. Received June 25, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, June 25. Sir Henry Norman, Organising Secretary of Mr Haldane's Budget League, states that a thousand meetings are contemplated. Cabinet Ministers and other effective platfirm orators will deliver speech3s.