19 MARCH 1927, Page 3

The prophets have been. particularly busy with the udget. The

restrictions which have been placed on he removal of foreign wines from bond have naturally iggested that the Chancellor of the Exchequer con- inplates increasing the duties on foreign wines. There however, a difficulty. As " A. P. N." points out in irestminstiT. Gazette, by the Finance Act of last year e preferences given to Dominion wines were stabilized r ten years. If the duties on foreign wines are increased. the ratio of preference, fixed by statute, will be changed. It is said that Mr. Churchill is also contemplating an increase in the tobacco duty. The tobacco companies have made very large profits through the great increase of cigarette smoking. It is believed that Mr. Churchill is trying to devise a tax that cannot be passed on to the consumer.

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