Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, April 20lh, 1978 7
BUDGET KEEPS US IN THE DESPOND
ONCE upon a time there used to be one Budget a year, and then the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood back to see his policies work.
In recent years there has
generally been a Budget and then a mini-Budget in the summer or the autumn. There have been two princi pal reasons for this develop ment in my opinion; the declining state of Britain’s economy, and increasing efforts by Government to direct that same economy.
Of course, no Government
for the last two centuries has been able to divorce itself from some attempt to direct or guide, but one of the crucial differences between Conservatives and Socialists is their view of the degree of control necessary.
SLIPPING Very broadly, Conserva
tives feel that as little control as possible should be imposed, while Socialists are convinced that they can and should control not only the public sector but the private one as well. In consequence I find they lose sight of why people work at all.
Now both political parties
say they want to expand the economy and to create a prosperous Britain. Which leads the man in the street to ask how it is that Britain has steadily slipped down the international league tables so far as our standard of living and individual earn ings are concerned, while rising to the top of the list as one of the most overtaxed countries in the world.
Which brings me to Mr
Healey’s latest Budget. There are in Britain at the moment two pressing prob lems — inflation and unemp loyment. The former has admittedly decreased some what but the latter, sadly, shows no sign of dimin ishing. Consequently most MPs,
whether Conservative, Labour or Liberal, expe cted some fairly substantial cuts in direct taxation to improve incentives both to invest and earn. These the Chancellor did not provide. So far as the individual is concerned tax reductions
Westminster Viewpoint by
DAVID WALDER Clitheroe
Division MP
will be almost entirely cancelled out by increased N a t io n a l In su ra n c e contributions.
Small businesses, which
have been going bankrupt at an alarming annual rate, or else being forced to make workers redundant, have benefited a little, but again the in creased rate of contribution by employers will make the advantages so minimal as to have little effect. Therefore, they will certainly not be encouraged to expand and so create more job opportunities.
OPTIMIST I stress small businesses
for two reasons — the large number of them in the Clitheroe constituency, and in North East Lancashire, and because of their overall significance in the economy. For it is from them, and not the large concerns, that we should be able to expect some alleviation of unemp loyment.
B e fo r e he actually
announced his measures, Mr Healey had given the impression of being an optimist, and therefore likely to be a generous man. Generous, that is, with what was once our own money. When the day dawned he was not generous and in many respects he was pessimistic, particularly with regard to imports.
Which is another way of
saying that our competitors are more successful than we are. Seemingly, too, they will go on like this, so we can expect an increased inflow of exports, the value of the £ will fall, and there will, therefore, be a rise in prices, all of which is likely not to decrease, but to increase, unemployment. What Mr Healey did not
seem capable of asking h im s e lf was why our competitors are successful. Might it be because they are less heavily burdened by taxation than ourselves? And if that be so, might it not be at least worth the try to imitate them?
SENSIBLE Now it may well be that
many readers of this article, like myself, will find them selves a little better off, a little less taxed than before.
Also there are many, no
doubt, who can point to particular items in the Budget which will have some beneficial effect, directly or indirectly, upon their lives and their livings.
Perhaps it may be thought
t h a t I h a v e o v e r concentrated on certain aspects of the economy and neglected many others. I would maintain, though, that it is more sensible in the long term to look at the wood and not examine indi vidual trees.
Like the Liberals, for
whom the next few months will be a testing time, I am disappointed that Mr Healey has not reduced the stan dard rate of income tax.
NO MIRACLE Unlike them, however,
along with the rest of my Party, I shall express my dissatisfaction by voting against the Government on the main issue, not just on items at the Committee stage of the Finance Bill. Overall, though, there is a
much more serious issue — whether this Budget, and the political thinking behind it, gives us any hope of step ping out of our economic despond.
I am afraid that I must
come to the conclusion that it does not. As long as we think that the British e c o n om y c a n n o t be expanded, that we cannot do better, then we shall stay as we are, petrified, with a 10 per cent increase in wages each year — just enough, it is hoped, to keep pace with inflation — but with never quite enough to pay for be t te r social services, improved education system and a well-recruited police force, among many other things that we need.
No Government can
produce an economic miracle overnight and Mr Healey would have to go a very long way even to restore the posi tion he inherited in 1974.
The poor March trade
figures which appeared just after the Budget are a comment on his previous 12 Budgets and I cannot see how he, and, of course, Britain, will have better luck with his 13th.
Offer ou/plus
HINTS ON JUDGING
STOCKJUDGING instruc tion was given at the meet ing of Clitheroe YFC, held at Mason House Farm, Bashall Eaves, by permis sion of Mr and Mrs B. Hartley. Mr David Kay explained
the procedure for dairy cows, Mr Roger Green covered the beef section and Mr Harry Whitwell talked about sheep judging. A vote of thanks was
extended to all concerned by Peter Fox and Andrew Collinson. Afterwards, Martyn Bristol took the chair for a business meeting.
Specialist’s talk
A SPECIALIST careers officer for the handicapped, Mr John Hammond,
will.be the speaker at next Wednes day’s lunch for the caring professions at the Starkie Arms, Clitheroe. At the lunch (at 12-30) will be doctors, nurses, church lead ers and youth and social workers.
LU XU R Y — STYLE Q U A L ITY — VALUE
ONE WORD SAYS IT ALL . SB CAVALIER
WELLGAT! MOTORS LTD. MAIN VAUXHALL DEALERS FOR THE RIBBLE VALLEY
OFFICIAL MoT
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TESTING STATION
DUCK STREET, CLITHEROE Phone: 22222/3/4 PARTS DEPT. 26611
V
AGENTS’ ASSOCIATION iTOfl
MOTOR m) I SSOCtATTON I
Lots being done to cut those fuel bills
IF all the energy used in discussing our future energy problems could be stored, it would extend the possible critical period well into the 21st century. And if all the paper used to record opinions about the problem were burned we should have enough heat to keep going even longer.
The Transport and Road
Research Laboratory has just held a symposium on energy and road transport. The prophets of doom were not represented among the scientists and experts who discussed the subject. In fact, it appears that Mr
Motorist need not begin to worry until the turn of the century, though doubtless many people will be trying to spread gloom and alarm before then.
AERODYNAMICS However, the motorist is
already being urged to “save petrol by adopting economi cal driving habits." General observation suggests that
since the oil crisis, nine out of every 10 drivers have acquired the habit of driving at about 60 m.p.h. on motor ways and at about 50 m.p.h on trunk roads, even dual ones. It is the car manufactur
ers who will progressively be offering greater fuel mileage, as has already been demonstrated in many of the new models. Certainly in the next
decade cars will be signifio antly different aerodynaml cally — the way in which the fuel is burned in the engine and the materials of which the body is made. The biggest saving of fuel
Nows the time to buy your new Fiesta
can be made by cutting weight. Aluminium or fibre reinforced plastics can add lightness and still meet safety regulations.
TYRES There are many factors
that can influence fuel consumption. For instance, an ordinary two-axle truck will use about 70 per cent more fuel as it takes a modest bend at a medium speed. This is perhaps why more motorists today seem to favour a technique of cutting corners. New types of tyre will certainly be helping to save
. petrol, as is already being d em on s tra ted by the Goodyear development in America. Engineers are saying even now that engine developments may make them less thirsty than diesel. So Mr Motorist can let
other people bother about his energy supplies in the future; they are already bothering to good effect.
sur| foil
We have a range of new Ford Fiestas in our showrooms, available for immediate delivery. And now is a good time to buy — before the rush begins. So come and look over the irorisingly spacious hatchback that has 42 cu. ft. of luggage space with the rear seat Ided Make a date for this weekend and test drive the one that feels right for you. Fiestas don’t stay in our showrooms for long.
LEASING AND HP AVAILABLE BAWDLANDS GARAGE, CLITHEROE. Tel. 22173 ESCORT 1300 GL 4-door PIF3TA 1300 ‘SV . 4'
RUFUS CARR LIMITED C &Sfd NEW CARS IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
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CAPRI 2000 GHIA GRANADA 2000L
] Coat of paint
WORK is expected to begin soon on repainting the outside of Ribblesdale School. A tender of £4,715 for the work — submitted by Leyland firm T. Harri son’s — has been accepted by Lancashire County Coun oil’s Education Committee. Headmaster Mr Dennis Mortimer said this week that the work would not disrupt school activities.
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^ G a r d e n C e n t r e Accrlngton/Whalley Road (A680), Read. Tel. Great Harwood 884215 ,
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Garden Shop
Read Garden Centre have now opened their new shop ® to give you even better choice and service.
This weekend, to celebrate the opening, there are
special bargains and a chance for you to discuss your gardening problems with the experts from well-known companies, P.B.I.,Fisons, I.C.I.,Johnsons, etc.
And as usual the friendly service and advice from the staff of Read Garden Centre.
P o r t f ie ld T ra f f ic Lights
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G arden Centre
Professional growers’varieties * "from Sinclair, McGill
A v a i l a b l e f r o m . . .
!h\ leads the way READ
GARDEN CENTRE
Accrington/Whalley Road (A680), Read Tel. Great Harwood 884215
t the most of WHITE HEATHER FISONSLEVINGTON
COMPOST grows a wider range of plants than any
other compostyou can buy. And this weekend you will get a free Fisons booklet (worth 15p) with any Fisons product you purchase.
PEAT IS AVAILABLE AT MOST GOOD GARDEN SHOPS AND CENTRES
THE LEADERS E'R E L
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Products Making more than the garden grow.
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garden °care
Super sprayers, the first choice for pest and weed control in the garden, greenhouse and home.
AVAILABLE FROM
READ GARDEN CENTRE Ask for details of the Garden care no fuss hose system.
MAINE LIGHTING CO.
(Wholesale Horticultural Suppliers to the Trade only)
congratulate
READ GARDEN CENTRE on their new expansion
and are pleased to supply them with
FERTILISERS, INSECTICIDES, PEAT and GARDEN TOOLS STANMORE AVENUE,
MARTON, BLACKPOOL Tel. 0253-65926-7.
Available from:
Read Garden Centre
S
Then call in the Johnsons. The Johnsons have been producing quality
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Accrlnton/Whalley Road (A680), Read Near Burnley. Tel. Great Harwood 884215
GREADARDEN CENTRE
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WIRISH MOSS PEAT The best peat on earth .
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