The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1910. A BARREN BUDGET.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 873, 20 July 1910, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1910. A BARREN BUDGET.

The first thought that comes to one after reading through the Budget presented to Parliament last evening by the Prime Minister is of its utter barrenness of new matter or new ideas. ,It is composed almost entirely of a re-hash of well-worn topics not.even disguised under a new dressing.. The subjects dealt with outside of the routine of finance are as familiar as Sir Joseph Ward's inevitable formula: "in the interests of the country as a whole." We are not surprised at this. It has been evident for some time past that the Ministry is not as prolific as of yore in the production of new schemes designed to tickle the ears of the electors, and we see in this fact reason for congratulation. It raises the hope that a closer, attention will in consequence be given, to the things that really matter, and the most vital of these at the present m'oment is the question of administration. So many subjects are referred to in the Budget that it is quite impossible to attempt to deal- with any number of them in detail. .We have our old friend, national annuities, brought forward again; the Government considers that "the time has now arrived" when water-power proposals should be "taken up with vigour"; wireless telegraphy; post-audit; assistance in maternity cases; anti-trust legislation;, a venerablo friend in btie form of a proposal to establish a beet-sugar industry; local government reform, and so on. We must give the Government credit for having at last created the impression that they really lire in earnest on tho present occasion in the matter of lopal government reform. Some hints of the lines to be followed are given in the paragraph in the Budget referring to this subject, but we shall deal with these on a future occasion. i

Turning to the financial side of fcho Budget the figures showing tho past year's operations disclose nothing that is new. We have already dealt with these • on previous occasions. Following the usual method, the Minister for Finance has, with some skill, directed attention to the pleasing side of things, and has. at the same time shown a proper regard for the feelings of the more sensitive of tho public by refraining from comment on aspects less cheering. For instance, he says he has no doubt that honourable member* "have gained sufficient information to know that tho revenue for the past year has been the highest on record." He, however, says nothing of the fact that the expenditure for the past year has also been the highest ' on record. But, after making allowance for these little weaknesses, there is reason to feel gratified, not so much at the revenue returns tliem- | solves, but at the improvod state of

things throughout the country which they indicate. The proposal of the Government regarding the creation of a sinking_ fund to extinguish the present public debt of the country in 75 years, and to .wipe out all loans raised in the future at the expiry of a similar period of time, is explained at length. It is not an easy thing to put a proposal of this kind lucidly before the public, and we have no doubt that the attempt now made will confuse and mislead a great many people. Wβ do not blame the Prime Minister for this. It is a difficult subject to handle. But the more the question is looked into the less satisfied we feel.with the scheme put forward! The nature of the special pleading advanced in favour of the proposed method of handling the sinking funds is of itself sufficient to occasion doubt as to what the proposal may lead to. Parliament will require to giv& this matter very careful attention.

The Estimates for the coming year are not satisfactory. Despite the improved conditions everywhere throughout the country, and the increased taxation imposed last year, and which will have full effect during the current year, Sir Joseph Ward estimates the modest increase of only £373,314 in, the revenue. This undoubtedly is an under-esti-mate of the probable results, and is designed to cover up the fact that the imposition of fresh taxation last year was unnecessary if proper economy had been practised. But what makes the position worse is the fact that the estimated expenditure for the year shows an increase of £335,966, oil practically equal to the estimated increase of revenue. As we have already stated, we believe that the estimate of revenue will be materially exceeded; but what justification has the Prime Minister, on his own figures, for the large increase in Departmental expenditure proposed 1 Where are the economies preached % Last year's expenditure from the Consolidated Fund broke all records and this year it is proposed to go one better. So also with the Public Works Fund. The figures in regard to this are really staggering. The amount available to the fund on March 31 last waa £662,366. It is now proposed to borrow £1,750,000 to add to this; and, on top of all, to transfer to the fund £500,000 of revenue derived from taxation. The , Government will have available, if these proposals are acceded to, £2,912,300 to spend on public works during fchb current financial year. This will create another record—Sir Joseph Wahd bids well to break all financial records if given his way. It is, perhaps, superfluous in view of the figures we have quoted from the Budget to remind our readers that the financial proposals under discussion will carry us into the year of the general election. How large a share of the enormous expenditure proposed will go to sweeten electorates that need sweetening, and what proportion will be allocated on the merits can only bo guessed at. But could any stronger evidence be required to show the necessity in the public interest of. removing the public service from Ministerial control and of placing the Public Works Fund in the hands of an independent Board free from all danger of political interference?