2 MAY 1931, Page 2

The rest of the speech was taken up with matters

that we have discussed elsewhere ; the proposed Land Values Taxation, which is not of immediate financial importance, and the haling of tax-collectors within the control of Somerset House, which is not finance at all. Mr. Chamberlain opened the attack on Tuesday with the criticisms that were to be expected, including a condemna- tion of the absence of any provision for Supplementary Estimates. He declared that it would be the last Free Trade Budget. Sir Donald Maclean blessed the proposals mildly in behalf of the Liberal Party. The speeches from Labour members were not very generally enthusiastic in support, though Col. Josiah Wedgwood expressed his delight at Mr. Snowden mounting the hobby-horse, Taxation of Land Values, which he himself used to ride so gaily. On the same day Mr. Baldwin was speaking at Liverpool and pointing to the absence of any prospect to be found in the Budget of advancing either economy or employment. On Wednesday Mr. Churchill delighted the House by posing as the old master faithfully copied by an apt pupil. Sir Herbert Samuel gave warmer support from the Liberals than the Government had on the day before.