New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-30

London, April 29.-The proposals In
troduced in the House of Commons this
afternoon by David Lloyd George,
Chancellor of the Exchequer. to double
the duty on spirits, quadruple the
duties on wines and 70 institute an in
crease by graduated tax on beer to
encourage the use Of lighter beers, were
strongly opposed, and it is generally
believed that the new taxes will have
to be moderated before Parliament will
accept them.
The O'Brienites, as q protest against
an additional taxation on Irish whis-
kies and beers, brought about the first
division In the House since the out
break Of the war by taking the unusual
course of voting against the provision
al resolutions bringing the taxes into
force at once, a measure designed to
prevent Withdrawals from bond while
Parliament is dealing with the matter.
The resolution relating to spirits was
passed by vote of SO to 8, the minor
!ty being composed Of O'Brienites.
Mr.. O'Brien declared that the Chan
cellor was killing the trade Of Ireland
by inches. If he succeeded In his new
taxes the results would De as horrible
for Cork as II that city were lombard
ed and sacked by the Germans. The
only Just and logical course was to
exclude Ireland altogether from the
operation Of the plan.
The Nationalists also protested
against the measure, but did not vote.
The Unionists, who withheld criticism
until all the facts could be placed be-
fore them, also abstained from voting.
Usually these provisional resolutions
are carried without division, for should
Parliament refuse 10 sanction the
taxes they are refunded to those who
may have paid.
The Labortes promised to reply to
the Chancellor's charges that a minor
ity of the workmen, lured away by
drink were not putting their best into
the work OF producing material which
is so badly needed by the soldiers at
the front.
Extra Taxes In Budget.
The extra taxes will be included in
the budget which Chancellor Lloyd
George will introduce in the House of
Commons on Tuesday next, and the
bill, which is an amendment of the de-
fence of the realm act, will be proposed
| for the second reading at later date,
when the debate on il will take place.
I Before that time the Chancellor has
/ promised to place in the hands OF the
members a series of reports of indie
pendent Investigators, on whose find
/ ings the government decided TO take
the action It has.
Besides the Irish opposition TO the
spirit duties, many members oppose
the new wine taxes on the ground that
they strike at France, Australia and
South Africa. The proposed appoint
ment Of board Of control and the pro-
posal 10 take over for canteen purposes
the saloons In the munitions of war
areas and to compensate all interests
are generally approved by the mem
bers.
Income VIII Increase.
! The surta1 is proposed for both spir-
its and beers containing more than Z
per cent OF proof spirit, the Chancel-
Tor told the House. He estimated that
the double duty on spirits would yield
the same total as heretofore, allowing
for decreased consumption. Beer would
bring in SS000,000 extra and wines ST.
100000 extra.
In the controlled areas the govern.
ment IS to have the power. for the
period Of the war, TO close any saloon
considered injurious. COMPENSATE
will be paid 70 Ill those whose property
is appropriated.
Regarding beer up to IS spe -.fc grsv
ity, there is TO be no change. Abov,
that there will be a graduated surta'
10 discourage heavy brews. rising 70 s.
a barrel The quadrupled tax wou!t
make sparkling wines pay 1915
Finds Problem Hard.
The Chancellor. in his opening sen
tence, indicated that difficulties haC
been met with. as he sRidi ATE
weeks Of trying 10 find solution o. .ht
question | am prepared 70 take p.edS'
never 20 politically touch drink aga"
He declared that, IN presentas Ga
measure, he was not proposing sJ.@
ton of the temperance question. %
only an act of discipline during -,
war.
The Chancellor Of the Exchequer "a,
the government had concluded T.: "a.
not justified in instituting prohib.uat
until It had tried everything else .
would be too serious an interfererct
with the habits Of the people. The
government, therefore had adopted tn,
plan Of restriction The time lost By
drinking. he stated. WAS equivalent 70
the services OF 10000 men. and the
whole community was being asked 70
make sacrifices because OF the weak
ness OF section OF the workers.