London, June 9.
The effect of the coal crisis is reflected in the Board of Trade returns for May. Imports - totalled £86,000,000 as compared with £166,- 000,000 for the corresponding period of last year. Exports amounted io
000,060 for May, 1920. £43,000,000 as compared with £19,-
It is worthy of note that coal the value of £1,500,000. was imported into the United Kingdom in the past month as compared with nothing during May of last year.
_The prospects of a prolonged parliamentary session are increased by the Government's introduction of bills repealing the Agriculture Act and amending the Unemployment Insurance Act, as both measures are likely to prove very controversial.
Black Financial Records, Critics of the Government declare that the introduction of these measures was inspired by panic and in the hope of appeasing the "anti-wasters."" The parlous condition of the country's finances is the theme of articles in the Opposition journals, including a letter from Sir Godfrey Collins, who recently crossed the floor of the House. The figures they quote include the following:
The revenue up to June 5, 1920, was £256,000,000 and up to June 4, 1921, only £155,000,000. The floating debt, as compared with last year, has increased by £61,500,000. Expenditure decreased only' by £17,500,000 in two months, the re-Venue simultaneously decreasing by £100,750,000. The tendency of the floating debt to increase is regarded as a very serious factor, impeding national financial recovery. Critics are of opinion that the Government is so scared of the growth of the demand for economy that a general election this year is most unlikely, as the Prime Minister would preferably defer an appeal to the country until a. more favourable occasion.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.