London, May 3.
The subject of the new tax on mechanical lighters to-day created a piquant. situation in. the House Commons where, owing to Mr. Winston Charchill being confined to his bed with influenza, his Budget for the present financial year was exposed to the risk of losing" a farther substantial sum.
Mrs Eugene Rameden (Conservative) moved an amendment, which was supported by members of the Liberal" and Labour parties, to reduce the duty on mechani lighters from 4d. to 2d, per piece.
Mr. A. 3. Samuel, the compnraly recently appointed Financial Secretary of the Treasury, stoutly resisted the suggestion.
The debate had proceeded for some time when Mr, Samuel suddenly agreed to accept the amendment. The storm broke, the Op-Position thoroughly enjoying the Giscomfture of the Ministers Mr. L. S. Amery hastily consulted with Mr. Samoel.
The Opposition demanded to know whether the Chancellor of the Bxchequer had authorized the conces-Sion. Mr. Samuel's silence implied that he had blundered.
The Government. Whips and Mr. Churehill's private secretary were to be seen hastening in and out of the House with an air of considerable discomfort, Finally, the "Chief Government Commander Eyres-Mansel, ing, "When the cat's away, play," suggested that Oppo referred the matter Ramsden and the
should be discussed during the pre-fence of Mr. Churchill, whereupon Mr. Ramaden withdrew his amend:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.