It is stated that about twenty Unionists are already supporting
the amendment for excluding breweries, distilleries, and tobacco factories from the derating scheme. They point out that the derating of -the liquor trade .would, in effect, subsidize it to the extent of about 1460;000.,a year. The answer of the Government is, of course, that if manufacturing industry. as . a whole is to be derated it is quite impossible to pick and choose. No one could say where the process might end if ever it began. The supporters of the amendment arc equally clear with their answer. They argue that the liquor trade has always and necessarily been subjected to discriminative .legislation. We suggest that if the Government are resolved to stand against discrimination on principle it • would be easy to counter-balance the subsidy by an increase in excise duty.
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