THE VICTORIAN BUDJET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1902, 26 July 1888, Page 2

THE VICTORIAN BUDJET.

A LARGE SURPLUS. PROTECTION RAMPANT. (PER PRBBS ABSOOIATiaN.) ■ (Received July 25, 1.40 p.m.) , Mblbofrnr. July 25. ' The Colonial Treasurer delivered the Financial Statement last night. The estimated revenue for the year has been exceeded by and the expenditure for the same period had decreased to - to be : cairied forward of The estimated revenue ' for* next year is £1,192,000. The Government ' ff pro^^ 1 pose to distribute lunatics through the country m asylums on the cottage system. Railways freights are to be reduced, and reductions to id will be made on the letter- postage ',, in^ the colony, the latter involving a loss of ;£ioo,ooo. It is intended to reduce 7 the duty on tea from 3d to id, and to. remove the duty on coffee, cocoa, •kerosene, and dress 'materials worn by the poorer classes. A uniform duty of 6d is to be imposed on leather, and dress goods (woollen) are to be railed. 1 25 ,per cent. It is estimated that the tariff reductions will amount to £Ssiooo. „' The Statement mentions that inquiries ." show that farming pursuits have. much. .'. improved within the last three years. The Treasurer thought the duty on stock was a mistake as likely to hinder colonial freetrade, and it would be ; removed at an early date. The Go- i: vernment had found it impoisible to grant a bounty on wheat.