THE BUDGET BATTLE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9640, 4 November 1909, Page 5

THE BUDGET BATTLE

THE FINANCE BILL

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S MOTION OF REJECTION

United Press Association— oy urfric Telegraph Copyright. Received November 3, 9.25 p.m. LONDON, November 3.

In the House of Commons, Mr Austen Chamberlain (Liberal Unionist M.P. for Worcestershire East}, in moving the rejection of the Finance Bill, denounced the underlying principle of placing special burdens on special people. He incidentally remarked that much of the Friendly Societies' money was invested in land which would be subject to tax when they turned it over and dealt with it

Ministerial cries: "Why not?" Mr Chambtrlain (continuing) : "That is an admission whereof we have *aken note. One man could hold up his land for five years merely by ieasing it to a cricket or football club, while another would be taxed for developing it. The Budget had gravely injured building land and the licensed and tobacco trades. These taxes might be used as a last resource in a great emergency. They were grievous if necessary and criminal if unnecessary. Let the Government seek to build up instead of seeking to destroy and cease to ruin particular trades by burdens too heavy to bear. If necessary spread the nee wider and let the vast mass of foreign imports competing with the product of our industries pay some toll to benefit the market they enjoyed. Put our people on an equality with others and give them a fair start in the race, and I am not afraid of the result You will open up new sources of revenue and find work for the workless and bread for the hungry.'

Received November 3, 11.20 p.m. LONDON, November 3 Sir William Robson, AttorneyGeneral, speaking to Mr Chamberlain's motion, justified the taking of unearned increment. The Bill was not Socialistic. Socialism aimed at substituting State action for individual enterprise. The Bill protec • ted individual enterprise, where it was imperilled. Doubtless this Budget's object was something rcorn. than a financial object, and Mr Chamberlain's object would also be more. Sir William added: "I am glad the Bill was not framed without regard to higher considerations which will put finance on a higher plane."