The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-24
Lloyd Georges Socialistic Bulge

Lloyd Georges SOcialtstic Budget.
Although there is far more noise over
home rule, the attention of England ~
focused with at least equal interest
upon the budget which Mr.. LLOYD
GEORGE laid before the House Of Com
mons on May 4. 1t Is hardly too
much to say that nobody is pleased
with it. The Liberal combination in
Parliament gave 1t only lukewarm
reception. In the press there is no
really cordial Endorsement Of 1t. No
body doubts, however. that IL will he
voted about as presented. The Govern
ment's great majority makes this GER
tain. The opposition only record their
protests and long for the general cleo
ton, which they are confident will en-
able them to remake nearer to their
hearts desire all that Mr.. AsoCITu
and his train have twisted awry In
steady going Britain.
The first and underlying objection 10
the budget is the game that was 50
bitterly agitated against Mr.. LLOYD
'TIDhbL - III ~ IliI'iul tuOlt II II
really step forward in the path of
social revolution. masquerading as a
finance bill. II aims to- give more and
more to the mass of the people, the poor
people, aud ii takes that more and more
from those who have higher earning
capacity or who possess substance. But
this vice of principle having been the
basis of the losing fight on the prior
occa sion. less stress is laid upon 1t at
the present time. II merely colors all
! the criticisms Of the measure on what
soeyer grounds.
Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN made
| telling point when he asailed Mr.. LLOYD
| GEORGE as n national spendthrift. For
merly. he said, the function of the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer was to be Il
/ guardian against extravaganza Ia other
/ Government departments: in word,
| to keep down the bills. This Is too tame
an employment for Mr.. LLOYD GEORGE.
He has added fGO,OOO.0OO year to the
national expenditures during his term
of office. Every year he finds some new
scheme on which to lavish money This
time his budget is an incentive TO ex-
travagance by local taxing bodies also.
and this on lines as yet only vaguely
laid down.
The official analysis gives contribu-
lions to be made to local authorities for
sundry social purposes as follows: Ed
ucation, f5s6,00O; public health, f2.432.-
900. But there are as yet no particu-
lars as to the terms or basis on which
the money will he allotted. Mr.. GEORGE
announced that the allowances would be
equivalent to reduction Of pence In
the pound In local rates. but this does
ton In the actual assessment. as the
fund. II Is understood. will be distrib-
uted In proportion to the expenditures
made for the several purposes to be
promoted. In other words, the more Il
county council spends on teachers. doc
tors and nurses the more the Treasury
will give 1t. But naturally the more II
spends the higher must be the local
rates" that It levies.
To meet new demands, including the
foregoing allowances, cool million
needed to keep Mr.. GEORGES insurance
scheme out Of bankruptcy. three mill
ion pounds for the army and navy. and
some minor items. the amount for which
I existing taxation does not provide Is
, f9S0Oy0NO. or about s43.oO0.OO. or this
!, | 80 ~ L.. A l.
the income tax. Death duties are &c
: I've no raised that they VIII ultimately
bring in f2 100000 year more thar
, they do under the present law. These