2 FEBRUARY 1951, Page 16

"Vie *pectator," februarp 15E, 1551 The various interests which claim

a slice of Sir Charles Wood's financial surplus have been active this week. A great number of- parochial meetings in the Metropolis have made demonstrations to help Viscount Duncan in his motion for the abolition of *le Window-tax: the orators still "go for the abolition purf'and simple," and without any bargaining con- cession of a substituted house-tax. The paper-manufacturers have met in great strength, and listened to statements from Mr. Crompton, Mr. Charles Knight, Mr. Charles Dickens, and others, in aggravation of their strong case for relief.

The influential conference of the paper-makers and their allies is the first body' which has carried its steps so forward as to have an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir Charles %pd was propitiously courteous ; but, in acknow- ledging that Mr. Crompton had done everything in his power to make the arrangements of the deputation "as agreeable and con- venient as possible," he said, doubtless he. should have all through next week deputations from interests of every kind, claiming the same privilege of " whispering in. his ear."