The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1888. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1855, 31 May 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1888. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The Financial Statement delivered by Sir H. A, Atkinson on Tuesday evening is on the whole a very able one and more than usually clear and concise. There is a heavier deficit to meet however than was anticipated by the Treasurer even though retrenchment to the extent of £233,000 has been effected. A promise to save £300,000 was given by" the Ministry and the amount actually saved comes near enough to tbe promised sum. There would have been a total saving of £271,000 if the proposals to effect retrenchment m the Education Department by raising the school age and abolishing Education Boards had been allowed by Parliament. The savings m Defence are, however, not likely to be warmly applauded, seeing the unsettled state of European affairs, and the probability of war breaking out any day. In respect to the new Tariff there is much to be thankful for, but the increase of the duty on tea cannot be looked upon with favour, and we should not be surprised if this" proposed tax is thrown out. Protection m boots, shoes, clothing, machinery, etc., is what was urgently required, especially on such articles as could be manufactured m the colony, and there is every likelihood of the tariff on suoh things finding fnvour with a majority m the House. There will be a strong debate on the tariff proposals, and many of them will very likely be thrown out, but the duty on such things as we can manufacture ourselves with the influence of Protection will most assuredly be allowed to remain as fixed by the Government. The tariff will be debated to-morrow, and we hope that members will rise superior to local wants and jealousies and together conspire for the good of the colony as a whole, and legislate for what will be to the interests and prosperity of its people.