Mr. Lloyd George though he praised the " social reform
" of the Budget regretted to find such sweet milk " mixed with the fiery alcohol of Protection.", The Liberals will no doubt go on all through the Session mumbling incantations about Free Trade and Protection in circumstances where that issue, as we used to know it, has ceased to have any vital meaning. However, that is their business. In the continued debate on Wednesday the Labour speakers, including Mr. Snowden, attacked the contributory principle in the Pensions Scheme. Apparently " the State " should do every- thing ! Sir Robert Home regarded the scheme as laying a new burden on industry. His criticisms make us .see the risk of creating an " All-in " scheme that is not really " All-in." A proper scheme—and the House should see that we get what is wanted—would not be a burden but a relief. By preventing over- lapping in the administrative succour of poverty and sickness it should save money. The money now spent in rates levied in the name of the Poor Law is a great and wasteful burden.
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