But this was before he knew as much about cocoa as he does to-day. At sixpence a pound, it seems, the imbiber of cocoa would pay a fraction more to the Exchequer for every cup that he consumed than would the drinker of tea. Such a dreadful anomaly in our otherwise equitable fiscal system could not, of course, be tolerated. So the tax has now been fixed at 4-1/2d., and Messrs. Cadbury and Rowntree are grateful and comforted.
Finding the Chancellor of the Exchequer in this yielding mood, Mr. Lough thought he would try to get rid of the tax on sugar. But here Mr. McKenna was obdurate. We used far more sugar than any other European nation, and must be forced to reduce our consumption. Someone, remembering, perhaps, how a month ago Mr. McKenna had smiled approval while his colleague, Mr. Chamberlain, defended Prohibition against Tariffs as a means of lessening consumption, suggested that sugar-consumers should be rationed instead of being taxed. But Mr. McKenna, without turning a hair, maintained that in war-time to raise the price by taxation was the only way. Political economy, once relegated by Mr. Gladstone to Jupiter and Saturn, is now, it seems, a permanent dweller in Mars.
OUR VILLAGE STORE.
Aged Man (to customer wanting a sandwich). "I'm sorry to keep you, Sir, but it's very awkward, my son being called up and me new to it all. 'Am! 'Am! Now: where did I see the 'am?"
Thursday, June 22nd.—The House of Lords welcomed a notable recruit in the person of Lord Chaplin. To his many remarkable performances in the field and the forum the newcomer has added another by gaining a step in the peerage before taking his seat. Last April it was announced that the King had been pleased to confer upon him a barony, but it was Viscount Chaplin, of St. Oswald's, Blankney, who subscribed the roll this afternoon.
Out of 173 questions on the Paper of the House of Commons a large number related to Ireland; but Ministers were extremely economical of information. The anticipated settlement still hangs fire, and there are increasing fears that it will not hold water. Almost the only fact revealed was that Lord Wimborne is no longer Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His resignation has been definitely accepted. By Ireland, where he was by no means an unwelcome Guest, he will be more regretted than some other Viceroys.
The extra income-tax on American securities again led to some lively exchanges. Sir Frederick Banbury found himself in the unwonted company of Mr. D. M. Mason in resisting the Government proposals. These "Old Tories" were told by Mr. G. Faber that the world was upside down, and that the sooner they realised it the better. But even he thought the Government were using up these dollar securities rather fast. They ought to treat them as "pearls of great price" and not cast them away for American bacon.