IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2201, 27 May 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE BUDGET DISCUSSION.

RE-IMPOSITION OF INCOME TAX

United Press Association—Copyright. (Received May 26, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. Discussing tho Budget, Mr. Austin Chamberlainu taunted the Government with unsound finance in establishing ponsions without knowing whore the additional ton millions required in 1909 for pensions, battleships, and education were to come from. Tho abandonment of a contributory schomo of pension was a direct discouragement to thrift. Tho restriction affecting married coupltfS was harsh and unjustifiable. Mr. P. Snowdon advocated tho distribution of wealth. Money for pensions and othor social reforms could bo obtained by a graduated tax oil incomes abovo £SOOO per year, and also by increased death duties. Mr. Lloyd-Georgo ridiculed the exhaustion of freo trado finance. When tho t.imo camo to find the six million required for tho pensions it would bo found. Tho resources of civilisation wero not exhausted. Tho Government hoped to travol further in the direction of a reduction in arnia. ments. Mr. Lloyd-Georgo thought Mr. Snowden’s suggestion for bleeding rich mou might be valuablo to some future Chancellor of the Exchequer, and it would still not be too much to ask a portion of the community that hardly know how to disposo of its wealth to contribute more towards improving the lot of the poor. It was deplorablo that so much was spent in providing machinery to destroy tinman life. It was all due to the mad competition, for which Britain was as responsible as any other country. A resolution enforcing tho reimposition of tho Incomo Tax was carried by 230 to 31.