BRITAIN'S BUDGET.
GRATIFYING EVIDENCES OF FINANCIAL STRENGTH.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 1ST,
PREFERENCE DUTIES CONDEMNED.
TAXATION REDUCED BY $34,000,000......,
}
THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
́9)[TEROPAH KETTER'S AGENCY.}
LATEST CABLES,
LONDON, April 9th. The tea duty is reduced by one-ball: the sugar duty is reduced by 1jd. *per th
The 30 per cent increase in the duty, on dried fruit is not to be
Postal rates are unchanged.
The duty on sweetenes table waters, is" abolished.
The MeKenna Duties are abolished as from August 1st.
The tax on theatre seats up to ed. is abolished.
There is no alteration in the Income Tax or Super Tax.'
The duties on cocoa, coffre, and chicory are redured by one-half- "eses from April 30th, and coffee, chicory and ten from May th...
The extra duty or dried fruit will lapse, on August 1st.
The Inhabited House Duty and Corpäration Profit Tax are abolished, Mr. Sunwucs announced that the Government would introduce a Bill to extablish the Land Vahmtion DepartmenL
THE
BARLIER CABLES.
CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. The House of Commons was crowded gind animated when it re-assembled for the Bulgel. The Galleries were full, in- fading the Dominions' Gallery, where Sir Joseph Cook and all the Agents General, the Australian Senator Mr. Wils and several Indians were among the Overseas represvulatives.
IMPERIAL
Mr. Snowden spoke for one hour and three-quarters, and was accorded an ovation when he sat down.
The necessary resolution regarding the tea duty was carried and the remaining budget resolutions agreed to. CHANCELLOR CONGRATULATED BY
of the sound condition of our national finances.
1024
FRANCE AND INDO-CHINA. FAR EASTERN CABLE SHANGHATS WAVE OF CRIME. ARMED ROBBERY AND SHUUGLING. OBJECT OF DOISY'S FLIGHT.
PARIS, April 9th
It transpires, from a statement issued by the Aeronautical Department, that the diruinn Daisy's Hight is the result of lengthy advanced preparations. It was originally hoped to organise a world tour but this was abandoned on the ground OPPOSITION LEADERS While reserving the right to criticise of expense, and it was decided last year the propuls later, the Opposition leaders that sy should attempt to link up congratulated Mr. Snowden on his lucid France and Ludo-China, continuing to Statement and applauded the evidences Tokso after his machine has been over
hauled * Hauoi
The French Ministry has obtained the The ox-Chancellor, Sir Robert Horne,authorisation of foreign countries to fly opined that the statement, slightly modiser their territory, Britain, Siam, and Ged, wight well have been made by either Japan have consented to allow the air Labour cries of manito land at their aerodromes and take dissent.) He twitted the Government fuel, and the United States has placed with seeking a trade agreement with the stores along the routes of the Ame Russia and rejecting a trade agreement rican work Right at the airman's dis
posal. with the Dominions.
KARUHI, April 9th. Mr. Asquith described the Budget as a
The Frenchman Doisy arrived this thoroughly sound financial operation cou-
He has created a record taining nothing to which the Liberals afternoon.
Right from Europe to India, in, the time were unable heartily to subscribe,
of actual, flying hours:
PABIN, Later,
of the older parties.
1.
At the conclusion of Mr. Asquith's peech, Mr. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd George walked to the Treasury Bench and shook hands with Mr. "Snowden. A little earlier Mr. Austen Chamberlain threw note with which the the. Chancellor latter was most pleased.
AL
ISTEST CABLES. PRESS VIEWS
The papers of all shades pay a tribute to the cleverness and moderation of the Grst Labour Budget, acknowledging with relief that no more decorous and respectable Budget has been produced in the last half century; though the Cun servative organs suspect that the modern
NEWS.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY-]- CHINESE IN LONDON, EX-PREMIER HONOURED,
STR CHARLY'S ADDIS ADVICE.
LONDON, April goth. A dinner gisen in London by Mr. Chau Hsin Hsin Chit to the Chinese Premier Liang Shih Yi was attended by
the natious.
Siyama, April 20th. The North Chons Daily Some, in an editorial, draws attention to the alarm- ing prevalenca in Shanghai of armed rehbery and smuggling of arms. Prae tically a regular state of war prevails, with the additional complication of poli tical motives which are most frequently behind the, assaults recorded.
During the past ten days four Chines
men and one woman have been sho gathering which the host described down, three fatally, while only in one probably the most distinguished as case has robbery appeared to have been connected with China, or interested in The writer compares the present emblage of those coming from China, the cause of the crime.. China, ever heki, including Lord Pur situation with the days of the Paris moor, sir Win. 'doynson Hicks, and Sirapaches of years ago, when it was Practical joker ly onsidered to be a Charles Addis
Mr. Liang Shih Vi in a speech referred stick a knife into some poor fellow. to the rather sudden advance of the Intest demceratic and reanamic develop The writer recommends, as the Mixed ments in China, and stated that the Court has limited powers in this regard, latter oked to the League of Nations, that prisoners against whom a preala for assistance to uphold China's rights nei case is established should be handed and place her in a Better position among over immediately to the Chinese Military Court, and, if this is inipossible, strongly Lurd Parmoor agreed with the Chinese arges the introduction of the "ent." Minister that the Council of the League) Referring to smuggling here, the writer
L Scarcely week of Nations ought to have a largec repre- says there is an urgent case for action
the diplomats. sentation. It was a great less not to by have China of the Council. He sincerely passes without important seizures of arins hoped that China would have a perman and ammunition on board some vessel The obvious remedy is that the captain fent place there
Sir Charles Addis reminded China of the ship on which smuggled arms are of the gra need for hangtal en found or the ship herself should be This" could be. dong operation from outside, and that cap made responsible only flows where it meets with security by the Customs with the support of thes Foreign capien! alone couki set in diplomats. It is a drastic remedy, per-
·BERLIN. April 9th. motion the machinery" for China's deve haps, but the circumstances are abonmal The main issue of the elections to the lopment. He described the guest of the and sill for proportionate action. Reichstag is: Shall the Treaty of evening as probably the one link between Versailles and the Experts report be, old and new China, ajal believed his visit unequivocally accepted by Genainy as youll have a great effect.
If the inspection of the machine at landi is satisfactory Doisy will provved to Tokyo rid Cantos, Shanghai, Peking Haiju and Tagislarni
GERMAN ELECTIONS. DIVIDED OPINIONS ON REPARATIONS,
"
H
Supporters of the extreme Nationalist
affirmative. The Nationalists are also
FI
ALTERCATION IN MANTLA
+di
HAI
NEW LIKIN STATIONS. PREFERENCE PRO- POSALS NOT ENDORSED
tion in more tactical than sincère.
WHOLESALE EXTORTION IN SHANG-
DISTRICT. The total expenditure for the year!
They suggest that the Budget is in-basis for the pence of Europe." would be £700,000,000 and the total re-tied as a sleeping drascht, and also
TWO ENGLISHMEN AHRESTED. I the negative, whilst the supporters of
SHANGHAI, April 29th. venue, on the existing basis of taxation, only condemn the repudiation of the German National parties reply in would he £828,000,000 leaving a surplus Imperial preference- proposals, likewise the list and German People's and
MANILA, April 30.
The North Chime Daily News sintes the proposed alition of the McKenna
Two Englishmen named Kay and of £35,000,000. The Government was 1- able to endorse its predecessors Imperial duties, as a blow to importan British Centre Democratic parties reply in the Preference proposals. l greatly regret industries.
on the Shanghai- the Domi-!
Mournchists, and furiousty anti-Semitic Brown Were attacked by fifty Filipinos that the merchants of Shanghai are ted any disappointment to niotis but he declared that the late
they are expected to poll macrously, at leilo on the th April following au enraged owing to the establishment of subsequently released on a bond render- Nanking Railway, of which the collectors but it is impossible that they can secure altercation. Both were arrested and new likin stations a majority.
Helferigh's death has weakened thee by the British Consul, whe is inves-have been andered to extort every on
the law allows, German Nationals, and Stressmann'stigating the matter. Germ People's party, which included
REPORTED OCCUPATION OF FOOCHOW. Prominent industrialists, adopting middle course, favours the restoration of
PEXING. April 30th. The majority of the Centre party ary
The dip understands that General the monarchy by constitutional nans. Republicans, favourable to a reception of
Tae paper points out that disastrona the experts report. had undoubtedly Tsung Chih Peng has occupied Foochow will influence the elections in favour of having driven out Sun Chunn Fang on the Democrats and Socialist Republienus. the 27th April. It is stated that Sutconsequences are likely to arise from the Pagola anchorage. Neither tax, that the railways are tessing business, JAPAN AND REPARATIONS. of the Government legations have the merchants are losing money, and veived any news tending to confirm this that the tax authorities al Government Paus, April th
report. Japan's reply states that she is pre pared to adopt the reparations experts' conclusions in their entirely.
The Budget and its reception gratified the labour Party, though the Labour orgas terms it" prudent and practical rather than brillindit or epoch-making"
'STOCK EXCHANGE TREND.
The Liberal Press complacently bail the Free Trade Budget as safe, sound Goverthreat Was responsible. Loud and practical" it notes with gratifea Opposition protests.) Yo Governmenttion its advance, towards the ideal of should attempt to bind Parliament over the free breakfast table, though a Lloyd George organ criticisais its lick of can a period of years upon such a controvers
structive eronomic policy. There are in- The Ministerialists loudly cheered the sial issue as tariffs, as it only resulted in raising hopes which were bond sooner
dications that the Budget has already heen considerably modifed as a result of entry of Mr. Philip Snowden, who began or later to he frustrated. The Govern by appealing for ialulgence in view of ent did not propose the abolition of the the recent dissatisfaction of the Liberals preferences now caferred, but reserved with the Government, whose position is
propose to Parliament ikely in be strengthened. his lack of Ministerial experience. He its full liberty smsmegla realised suplas last year of the reduction or abolition of duties an all commodities to which a preference L44,33,one which had gone to reduce the was mow applied, whenever deemed ex- National Debt. *141*) of the stirpedient. The Government would give an carly opportunity for the full and fire plus was due to an excess of revenue, discussion of the lumerial Economic Con, ferrure résolutions, and if the House
On the Stock Exchange the Bulget was £270,000 fedored "expenditure, and
adopted any of them the Government the balance was" represented by the would inake provision in the Finance Billy favourably treeived and the markets Two matters arising out of the Imperial all round kept stewly. Tra shares were Surplus of last year's Budget.
Conterare required ánancial resolutions:tive, some heavy priced shates being The surplus of £2,729,000 in Customs Firstly, with regard to the immunity at higher smaller priced were and Excise was mainly due to spirits and State enterprise from taxation which he higher Industrials responded well on proposed to postpone till next year in reiving news of the repeal of the Car tolaben, the 'inertused consumption of order to afford au opportunity of further portion Tas.
consultation; and, seondly, he "hoped to ล Clause spirits being apparently, due to the long inelle in the Finance Bill cold winter and the effects of influenza, giving effect to the reciprocal arrange. for which whisky was a reputed specifiets made last year with regard to donide taxation of shipping He undey. (Laughter.) The motor vehicle duties stred it would be voluntary and permis-
sive. had increased by $1,300,000. Death Duties 1 had exceeded the estimate by £5,500,000, and the usar Tax by £6,910, but the "Exess Profits-Duty was £12,000,000 low the estimate. Death Duties had vielded £1.800.000 as compared with 25671,000 the previous year.
As regards expenditure, Mr. Snowden Said that the National Debt services had amounted to £347,250,000, supply services to £40.44,000, the Armve to 1,200,000,
FOOD DUTIES REDUCED BY NEARLY $5,000,000.
The reduction of the duty on sugar to 11 Bence per pound wouki operate on April 30th and cost £13,700,000 this year and £18,400,000 in a full year,
The reduction in the fea duty would cost #5,100,000 a year,
The reduction of duties on cocoa, coffee and chicory would east Es13,000.
The non-renewal of the fifty per veut the Navy to £52,800,000, and the Airiperense in dried fruits duty, imposed in Fore 10, 29,500,00, the savings there- under being dac, lofer olio, to a charge 1915, would cost £270,000
fsprogramme in the Middle East and Singapore.
Dist
A THE NATIONAL DEBT. The total deadweight debt of Murch WAK £7.050,000.000 as compared. swith 47,772,000,000 on March 31st, 19237. 31st Bloating debit
March (0 £7#4,500,000, as
compared
The
Wnd
with
reduced.
Thus everyone's food duties would be Loud Ministerial cheers.) The estimated cost of such reductions was £23,700,000 this your und 224,993,000 in a full year.
MCKENNA DUTIES TO BE" ABOMSHED.
The announcement of the abolition of the McKeann duties from August 8th was greeted by loud. Ministerial and Liberal This will cost £2,500,000, and
cheers.
gave a most. decisive vote against these Juties at the last Electioti... The Govern.
rent was bound to give effect to that policy,
The produce markets were similarly affected. Sugar Intures, advanced in anticipation of a great improvement in demand on the reduction of the duty cog into operation to-day.
TURKESTAN * TROUBLE. REVOLUTION WIDESPREAD
RISA. Alth it is reported that the reve has spread Ali Bokhara. throughout Turkestan Three divisions of infantry have been seat to Turkestan from the Cairns anul the Ural regions. It is stated that the revolutionaries have captured almost the whole staff of the Turkestan commissaries
and the Central Committer of the Tur. kestan Communist Party. Severe fight: ing is proceeding in Bokhara between the
habitants and the retreating Reds. TROTSKY'S "COME BACK,” ADVICE TO BRITAIN.
Moscow. April 9th. "If the British Labour Government had the courage and valour, demanded of the Russian workers, it would see the
k
IRISH BOUNDARY DISPUTE. SETTLEMENT BY AGREEMENT,
IMPOSSIBLE.
feel
a
CHINESE RED CROSS SOCIETY.
Pexixo, April 30th.
irv
The Inerchants fil, it impossible ta send goods by railway without losing moter, and consequently they arranging at Nanking to send their goods by water, whereby they will come under the Maritine Customs, whose taxation is lighter.
nre bosing revenue, and also that riots are occurring in the different provinces, and that young industries are beg crippled.
It is interesting to note that during A Mandate has heep issued appointing Wa Yen president and Tsai Ting Kan the discussions on the Customs sartar, Yang Chen vice-presidents of the with all the talk of abolishing likin, the Chinese Red Cross Society. Yang Chenicials are quietly arranging a moze was at one time a Commlastoner of the rigorous enforcement. Society at Shanghai.
LONDON. April 9th.
Tea Ting Kan's last public office was In the House of Commons, fr. Thounas announced that as no settlement by that of Chairman of the Commission for agreement was possible of the boundary the, Revision of the Import Tariff, which between North Ireland and the rest of war in in 1922. He was a Chinese dele Ireland, it must be determined in aegate at the Washington "Conference, cordance with Article twelve of the 1921.] Treaty, providing for the establishment uf a boundary commission.
DUTCH RETRENOMMÉNT.
a
THE HAGUE, April 29th.
DAIS BULLETIN."} fax Corthay OF THE
SEAMEN'S. LEADER ABSCONDS.
SHANGHAI, April 29th.
"THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME." VICTOR HUGO STORY AT THE CORONET.
Victor Hugo was already eminent as one of the greatest dramatic poets of his day before he gave to the world, in 11. his great tragic romance, Notares The Turth the Daily Neira under-Dame de Paris," the magnificent film An all-round reduction of the salaries of Civil Servants will be effected on May stands that the leader of the seamen's version of which comes to the Coronet. 1st. The Query also plated at the dis-strike two years ago is alleged to have Theatre this evening under its original asal of the Minister of Finance a por absconded with $3,000 from the union's title of The Hunchback of Notre tion of her apparige.
NEW ZEALAND RAILWAY STRIKE OVER.
WELLINGTON, April Suth. The railway strike has been abandon,
THE WORLD'S SPORT. HOME BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP
ed:
NewMax's RECORD anak.?
opportunity to conclude a treaty with Soviet Russia which would have the re-
LONDON, April 20th. sult of remapping Empe." said Trotsky in a sperch at the Bolshoi Theatre. He
At Burroughes Hall, in play for the added that the combination of Russia's
professional billiards championship final wealth and resources and British tech- dictate to Europe. But there is non record for any championship: " nical knowledge would seable both to Nouman made a break of it, which is The present scores are: Newman, The McKenna duties were a war me such Government in Britain, and there-
10,000: Reise 9,72. sure, imposed in 16. Mc. Bonar Law fore we must be prepared to recept any undertook to remove them after the war.
agrément, which we shall carry out hop They included tariffs 31 per cent on ing for greater mutual advantages later imported motor cars, pianos. watches, Tisky areused Mr. MacDonald of sup clocks, cinema films and a few other pressing Afghanistan's struggle for free-
of articles. There have been intimations den and increasing Britain's in the
Lately on the part Duler of maniactures in the trades concerned, particularly motor-car makers, that the abolition would mean wholesale
E810.000.000 1 year ago. As regards the provision made to deal with the five per ent War Loan the precise figures were not yet available but the sum converted Mr. Snowden declared that the country
£150,000,000. The was nut to than -Government hind
meet nearly $150,000,000 of maturing Bonds and he was afraid that the burden of debt must be mast heavy for some years Pending the report of the Committee on National Debt, all clearly available resources must he devoted to the redemption of the debt (thcers)-which would improve inter- tional trade and the terms whereon noney could be borrowed for industrial purposes. In view of the great conver aint scheine we must carry out BOOD-- <Opposition cheers)-the maintenance and improvement of British credit was a matter of most vital importance.
Cheers.)
"
dismissals of workers.
A
Hence there was a doubt whether the Labour Government would abolish the duties, and hence Mr.
A MOST CREDITABLE NATIONAL | Snowden's explanation to-day that the
ACHIEVEMENT. "
One deadweigh deht of £7,630,000,000 ovalved in interest charge of £305,000,000 18 compared to a debt of £8,000,000,000 and interest of £345,000,000 in December, 1819. (Cheers.) Our one real external debt
United States, the DOW WAS 1040,600,000 and £15,000,000 Market Loans in America. The total debt reduction, both external and internal, since Decem ber, 1910, was over £650,500,000, or prac- tically the amount of the National Debt at the outbreak of the war. (Cheers.) That was a wonderful and most credit able national achievement. (Cheers.) Mortover, large debts were owing to us. (Loud chcers) We had to pay interest tercon, which was a very beavy burden on the taxpayers. When we received interest on some part of these debt we
date of abolition is fixed for August Ist in order to avoid inconvenience to the trades concerned.}<
OTHER TAXES REPEALED. * In addition, the abolition of the tax on payments for admission to entertainments up to 18. 3d. would cost £3,400,000 this year. The repeal of the Corporation Pro- fits Tax would leest £2,000,000. The cost of all reductions in taxation would total £31.050.000 leaving an estimated surplus of £1,024,000, which he would keep to provide supplementary expenditure.
hurdens.
Trotsky is having a remarkable" coine hack,**
He received a great ovation today and looked the picture of bealth. WARSHIPS AT DUNEDIN.
DESEOS, April 30th. The special service, squadron including the cruisera Donalles and Darilia had a most enthusiastic reception from Jense crowds.
NEW
BARLIER. CABLES. SOVIET · PROGRAMME. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE DOOMED. Rio, April 29th.
TENNIS PLAYER-WRITERS. RICHARDS FOLLOWS TILDEN'S LEAD.
PHILADELPHIA, April 29th. Vincent Richards has followed Tilden'
example and resigned from the American Davis Cup Team.
Tilden bas made this announcement on the strength of a telegram from Richards As in Tilden's case, the player-writer rile of the American Lawn Tennis As soeiation is resiónsible.
treasury
THE JAPANESE CAPTIVES.
Dame."!
Hugo has said that the story was sug gested to him by the Greek word finagie (fate), which one day he discovered carved on of the towers of the cathedral. These Greek char Famous
"he says,
"black with age am acters,
оле
NOW AT TUNGSHICHANG.
PEKING, April 9th.. The Japanese Consul at Chungking ent deep into the stone with the peculia received a letter on April 19th from the ities of form and arrangement comm Japanese captives, saying that they had
to the Gothic caligraphy that marked. reached Tungshichang, of the Kwelchew them the work of some hand in the king, where they will remain for some
mournful meaning which they expressed time
order, about 60 li due south of Chang Middle Ages, and above all the sad and
forcibly impressed me."
The Japanese Consal, therefore, will make another effort to hand over the ransom money.
BILLIARDS AT SHANGHAI. OLD CHAMPION IN FORM.
SHANGHAI April 20th. An interesting exhibition of billiards was given at the Caundry: Club last night, Mr. H. W. Stevenson playing the Shanghai champion, Captai, Barrett, a game of 800 up, the latter receiving 50.
Stevenson's best breaks were 2003 and exhibition of the top-of-the-table gas 159, the former providing a magnificent which included 40 nursery cannans.
Captain Barrett reached C15, his best breaks being 41 and 35.
(Continued on next column).
EARLIER CABLES. SOCIETY WEDDING.
ASHEVILLE, North Carolina,
April 29th Miss Cornelia Vanderbilt, the only child of the late Mr. George Vanderbilt has been married to Mr. John Amlierst Cecil, a member of the staff of British Embassy at Washington.
:
In Notre Dame" as produced for the screen in the great film showing this all the tenderness evening thera for sorrow, and sympathy for the afflicted which found expression in the book, while as a study of the life of Paris in the Middle Ages, and the great church after which the romance is called, the picture is unrivalled.
One example alone shows the remark-- able care that has been taken in creating this new screen classic. To produce thes story for the movies Universal found it necessary to build in Universal City an Dame. So exact was the reproduction that experts who were confronted with exact replica of the Cathedral of Notre photographs of the real cathedral and that built for the film were unable to decide which was which, until it was pointed out that an additional spire had been added to the cathedral early hundred years after Quasimodo, tb hunchback, climbed amidst the gargoyles and ring the bell of Notre Dame.
The massive cathedral reproduced by Universal, with its ornate facade, Gothin spires and hundreds of statuce is a magnificent tribute to the enthusitam ond artistry with which the portrayal of this great epic of fifteenth century Paris wan rate preparations, were made to enture conceived and carried out. Very elabo as exact a reconstruction of the story posible, and in point of fact "Thus tha Hunchback of Notre Dame
proved
LATEST CABLES. [REUTERS AMERICAN SERVICE] U.S. IMMIGRATION BILL. THE JAPANESE QUESTION
WASHINGTON, April 29th. It is understood that President Conlidge A message from Moscow says the has suggested to the Joint Conference of
U.S. MINING DISASTER. He Communist party has adopted a pro- Representatives of both Houses of Con
most expensive picture ever made. SMALL HOPE OF RESCUES.
Lon Chaney who enacts the part of did not suppose that this would be sufi-gramme enjoining all communist institu- gress which is discussing the Immigra
Quasimodo fequired three and a half ciest, to meet expenditure outside the tons to destroy private and wholesale tion Bill that the operation of the pro- estimates which Parliament might sant dealers by. withholding credit and ar-vision regarding Japanese exclusion
WHEELING (U.S.A.), April 21h Forty-five bodies have been recovered hours each day to make up as the buck tion during the year; for example, the ranging bogentts and granting privileges should be postponed until July 1st The Commons was committed to a removal of at State enterprises. It proposes pre- Conference later informed the President the thrift disqualification in Old Age Pensently to tolerate: retail traders who that an agreement to this basis, right from the ruined mino, Rescuers are back. The other famous artists who are sions and there would be calls for hous purchase from Government wholesale be reached within twenty-four hours, working incessantly to penetrate the represented in the film include Ernest are still entombed. It is feared that none the Beggar King, ard Patsy Ruth Millen might hope to reduce our own indebted ing the unemployment Mr. Snowdenres, but declares that co-operative The vote of the Conference, is expected
will be found alive.;; ness or taxation much more rapidly than was convinced that considerable. econ-societies must gradually capture the is be close, as several Pacific const Sene portion of the mino where sixty-six men Torrence who plays the part of Clopin, was possible out of our own resources.
omies could be afected during the year, retail trade by systemat o underselling, tors intend to oppose the suggestion.
as
»
as the Gipsy girl, Esmeralda