BUDGET POINTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2222, 7 August 1914, Page 4

BUDGET POINTS.

THE STATEMENT AT A . GLANCE.

FACTS AND PROFOSALS/ .Parliament will be asked to sanction a special loan of JE1.000.000 for roadirig.the out-distriqts. ■■• — ■ >. " v • A Public Works loan of ia projected. Tks system of State grants and subsidies in aid of c'evelopment work is to be entirely remodelled. Universal statutory subsidies will be< ' supplemented' by additional payments allocated by^a non-political lxard.:..'".• The same board will control allocation of grants in aid. ■ ■'.' The Government proposes to-take over construction and'" maintenance of main .roads. .'■ ; V •■■ '. ■ War prevents the Government dealing with the Custoins tariff this year, but it • is-proposed to deal with it-text year.Drastic action against "dumping" i«' • foreshadowed. Liberal improvements in pensions legislation are v foreshadowed.' ■'-.__• It is proposed to grant additional bene- . fits this session to. widows, thrifty pensioners possessing homes, and'others.. Pensions-'for miners incapacitated_ by miners' phthisis are promised.this session. Legislation dealing with invalids' pensions and lor the blind is to be submitted as soon as circumstances permit. ' The membership of the National Pro-:'., vident Fund has largely increased- during the year-. •' ■• '.' ; . '. , -■• • Benefits of the fund are to bo extendedto local body employees. and trade union , members. ■..l '. . ''■■'.. .j. -'!■ The! Board of Agriculture is to consider tho question of establishing airicultural banks' to assist srruggling»settlers.'> • : The Government has established a record in the. construction' of workers dwell- ■ inits in town and country.. • The Budget gives striking proof of the -rapid subdivision of ,large\estates X>? -the. •operation of thß. graduated tax and otherTlie revenue surplus for the year., was £126,905, though large sums were expended on the-strike'and in suppressing, the /., 'smallpox epidemic. ■~»,' „„ Also, contrary to the practice of, former Governments, JE91.066. of territorial revenue'was transferred as capital to- tno Land Settlement Account -instead of being treated: as 'annual rtjenne.- _:. •. ....., ' Estimated revenue for 1914-la: .£l2>w».-; '(>ut : of this year's .surplus iSM.OOa will ■. be transferred to the Public Works Fund. • Public Works balauceUt beginning of 1912-13: at teginnutg of 1913-U: £1,178,584, besides loan money A.iUfi-» tO AmpTe Ve f nnds. now 'at "disposal - of ,State Advances Department -for lending (apart from effects'of war).- \". ' -•■ -- _. „,. ■ ..■ Important'Milways proposals are proJ< Thf-ee schools, one.of. them, a training school, are to be provided at tie .Cook : vS"totalling "■' £560,497. iwas purchased and offered for . settlement during the year. :■.-:,,- ■■■;■. y