The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1887. The Financial Statement

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 58, 3 November 1887, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1887. The Financial Statement

The colony is to be congratulated on the able statement of its affairs laid before the House on Tuesday night by the Colonial Treasurer, Major Atkinson. The economical reforms proposed are such as should commend themselves to all classes of the community. Merchants, because the tariff is to be left intact for another period ; working men, because no further burdens are to be placed on them by indirect taxation ; civil eerTants, because they are not to be economised off the face of the earth ; members of Parliament, because they will now have an opportunity of carrying into practice the oft repeated, never before fulfilled, promise to reduce their own honoraria and allowances ; democrats, because the salary and emoluments of the Governor are to be relentlessly cut down. In fact, no financial statement ever brought before a New Zealand Parliamenthas contained so many proposals to suit so many people. The reductions proposed in the departments generally are to.be dealt with in committee, by the several Ministers in charge of departments. This is undoubtedly a weak point in the scheme, which will be eagerly attacked by the Opposition. The reductions in Education are smaller than were expected, but we are satisfied the best has been done that the circumstances of the case admitted. We feel assured when the clear and courageous statement is read at Home, confidence in the financial stability of the colony will be restored and placed on a firmer basis than ever.