THE IMPERIAL BUDGET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2496, 8 May 1909, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL BUDGET.

PRICE OF TOBACCO INCREASED. THE STOCK EXCHANGE VIEW. AJnited Press Association-. Copyright % ■ -LONDON, May 6. The retail price of tobacco has been increased on'e halfpenny .per ounce. A meeting in London, claiming to represent 200,000 tobacconists, com-, plained that; the increased duties necessitate the employment of 25 er c -.t. more capital, and that it u ill ruin half the small retailers. Manufacturers have increased the price of eau-de-cologue, scents, drugs containing spirits, and hainvashes 10 per cent. Retailers are charging fonrpcnce per gallon extra for petrol.

The committee of the Stock Exchange . has informed Mr Lloyd-George, Chan- - cel lor of the Exchequer, that some of his Budget proposals are open to grave • objections. Mr Lloyd-George has offered to receive a deputation on- the subject on Thursday next. Messrs Buxton and Whitebread, writing to the “Times,” instanced two breweries that must hereafter pay £104,745 in increased licenses, though their annual profit was only £61,300.

A LICENSED TRADES’ PROTEST.

DEPUTATION TO MR. L-LOYD-

GEORGE

United Press Association— Copyright (Received May 7, 9 p.m.)

LONDON, May 7. A licensed trades meeting at London, including distilleries, emphatically protested against the ruinous increase of *1 uties _ and licenses. A deputation informed. Mr. Lloyd-

George that the increase in the tobacco (►duties won’cl lead to the discharge of "’half of the cigar makers. Mr. L!oydGeorge intimated that he would hear every deputation on the matter before coming to_ a final decision concerning the possibility of modification.