OUR FINANCES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 August 1901, Page 2

OUR FINANCES.

Straws tend to show how the wind bloweth, and trifling items in themselves often indicate “ a very great deal.” The following telegram received from our Parliamentary correspondent this day is an “ item ” that apparently meaneth much. The message runs :—“ Since the Premier told a deputation from that favored West Coast on Thursday that the Government must halt with respect to the public works expenditure, there has been a good deal of talk in the lobbies as to the colony’s position, and it seems to be generally understood that the Government are in a tight corner in respect to finance. Under the circumstances the Budget delivery, which will be further delayed owing to the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie's death, is being looked forward to with unusual anxiety. While the expenditure for the past twelve months has been abnormal, the revenue for the June quarter is reported to have fallen; and this, taken in conjunction with the concessions given to the public through railways and postal departments, leads to the impression that the days of the squandering policy are at an end, and that the Government will be forced to adopt a tapering-off policy. A lengthy financial debate is imminent, and indications point to the session lasting till the end of October.