Let me, before the Debate comes to its close, seek to impress upon the Committee the circumstance that there are many minds in the country who do not doubt that this Budget is a Crisis in the Economic History of the nation, and who maintain the thesis that taxes of the sort which are imposed this year are indeed a heavy burden upon industry, that they impose upon industry a destruction and a waste of the essential raw material of industry, namely, capital, and that they impose upon those who are responsible for the conduct of industry sacrifice and disorganisation, which are contrary to the best interests of the country.

Even if our eyes were opened and our hearts were stirred now, in April, 1947, we have scarcely time left to prepare for this, the greatest Crisis in Our Economic History.

How far beyond his own nose does he think he saw when he told the Press that all was well - a week before the eve of the worst Crisis in Our Economic History?