The Budget resolutions were considered and approved on the Report
stage in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Mr. Maclean, a Labour Member, proposed to omit the increased Tea Duty, as a protest against indirect taxation on the working classes. Mr. Chamberlain, in pointing out that any inequality was more than redressed by the heavy direct taxes, skilfully led several Labour Members, including Mr. J. H. Thomas, to say that they would carry the Income Tax downwards. We fear that these Members would be repudiated by their supporters, for Labour organizations have recently been asking that the limit for exemption from Income Tax should be raised instead of being lowered. In theory, at least, every citizen ought to contribute something, however small, to the cost of governing his country. Every one would then have a direct interest in promoting thrifty administration. Colonel Guinness opposed the increase of the Champagne Duty lest it should injure Prance; but Mr. Chamberlain said that he did not think that the increased duty, adjusted to the much higher prices, would diminish the consumption. He is probably right.
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