If you do that your nine millions of loss to the consumer will
amount to many times nine millions ; and this is the way in which the
consumer is to be compensated for the re-arrangement of finance which
is proposed. I do not know whether you have any great desire to pay
this increased duty, not only on the articles of consumption to which I
have referred, but also on your hoots and shoes, and your pots and pans
and knives, and many other articles of domestic use.
I believe the building industry is one of the great
The Building industries in Croydon. There has been an immense
Trade. development of building operations in Croydon during
the last few years, and if this duty were imposed the cost
of every house built in Croydon would be lo per cent, greater than it is
at the present time. I calculate that if this duty is imposed, and
the other reforms which are suggested are carried out your sovereign,
which now buys twenty shillings worth of goods, will when the pro-
posals are carried into effect, buy 17s. 6d. worth of goods.
