31 MARCH 1923, Page 3

Mr. Baldwin, dining with the London Press Club last Saturday,

explained what would happen to the Budget if he accepted all the suggestions made by his hosts. All taxes would have to be reduced, save those on aerated waters. Thus if we saved on whisky, the tax-gatherers would take it out of us on the soda. A Chancellor, it seems, is pursued by maniacs with " systems " for raising the revenue by lowering the taxes. If we may join the band, and make a suggestion, perhaps Mr. Baldwin might fill the nation's coffers by charging a small fee to those who waste his time with such interviews.