News of the Week
Mr. Snowden's Warning U R. SNOWDEN'S grave speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday gave such an emphasis
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to the necessity for economy that the Government's programme of legislation may be not only affected but changed. Mr. Snowden has never spoken in tones of such profound anxiety. If his . appeal for a " common effort " should have no effect, we shall have to admit that no " Council of State " co-operation is possible under the present Government. His warning that more expenditure now would be the death knell of Socialism later was, of course, taken very ill by the Labour left Wing, which says that he has thrown up the Socialist sponge. The exact meaning of his statement, that industry can bear no further taxation, is uncertain. Is there to be no addition to direct taxation ? Or are there to be higher taxes only on the larger incomes ? Are there to be cuts in official salaries ? It was notice- able that Mr. Snowden declared that, though sacrifices would have to be made by all, Cabinet Ministers would be ready " to make their substantial contribution."
