FEDERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 October 1901, Page 4

FEDERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

Melbotjhnk, Oct. 8. The Commonwealth Treasurer, (Hon. G. Turner) delivered the Budget speech, to a crowded house and galleries, to the House of Representatives to-day. Tho Treasurer, who was received with cheers, thanked .the Committee for tho kindly reception he had received. Ho never felt so much difficulty, certainly never in the delivery of a State budget, the reasons being the confusion of the six States, and the difficulty of getting precise information from the other States on the questions inquired into. They had to keep down expenditure so as not to denude the States too much; and as he sympathised entirely with the State Treasurers, this would be done so for as possible. At the same time States had in some cases proposed heavy expenditure. They had had heavy demands made on them for improved services. Complaints had 'been made as tc the delay in bringing down the budget but they were without foundation, considering the severe work which had to be done. He explained' that the expenditure which would be required for defence was £860,000, parliament £59,000, elections £59,000. He explained that the Customs excise revenue would vield £2 7s 9d per head for New South Wales and £2 3s 6Jd for Victoria. Tho expenditure of tho department of the PostmasterGeneral was £2,300,000. He estimated that in the normal year the revenue from the tariff should be £8,900,000. In the current vear he expected lo get a little o ?er £8,000,000. He expressed tho opinion that there would be a necessity for reviewing the defence expsnditure, which was mounting up. He announced his intention of arranging that buildings and other works where possible should come from revenue instead of loans ; but much of the defence expenditure, such as large works, telegraph and telephonic expenditure, might well bo charged to loans. He intended to provide lor going into cho market for a million. The absence of figures owing to tho confusion arising from the fusion of six systems left the Treasurer in the position why figures could not be given. He left Mr Kingston to explain the tariff, saying that as a consequence of enlarged expenditure they must expect heavier duties in some directions. The Minister of .Customs followed in a long speech, which contained little information to nls hearers. He refused to produce the tariff which contained the exact figures, till sitting down. After critic’sm at some length by Mr Reid the debate was adjourned. The tariff proposed is in many items lower than that of the Victorian, but is loudly complained of by the New South Wales member?, Tho tariff includes bacon and bams 3d a pound, grain and pulse N E I per cental, Is 6d, do prepared or manufactured, Id a pound, bran, pol. lard a d sharps Is, per cental enumerated * bt&fid. - 1

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

(per press association.) The Patea Election. Wanganui, October 8.

The hearing of the Patea election petition was continued to-day, and after addresses of counsel, judgment was reserved. It is expected to be given to-morrow.

Colonel Penton. Wellington. Oct. 8,

It is stated a few days ago that Colonel Penton was going to Africa to take command of the Sixth Contingent. Colonel Penton to-day said that he is not going ,to the front. Land for Settlement.

The Government has signified their intention of acquiring ISOG acres of Mount Herbert estate, Waipukura, for close settlement.