COLONY’S FINANCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 201, 31 August 1901, Page 3

COLONY’S FINANCES.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT BY MR MEREDITH.

HOW lIE WAS OUTWITTED.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night.

The House met at 2.80 p.m

Mr Meredith resumed the debate on the Financial Statement, adversely criticising the finances of the Government. He said that he had intended to move that the estimates of expenditure ho referred hack to tiie Government, with instructions that they he reduced by X’50,000. The Acting-Speaker said that an amendment having already been moved and negatived, he could not accept a further amendment.

Mr Meredith said that he regretted that he had boon outflanked by the member for Lyttelton.

Mr Ho;"; said they had been doing very well during the last ten years, but it was not advisable that they should go on recklessly spending the money borrowed. Mr Hunan said that so long as members clamored for expenditure on roads and bridges and public buildings, they must expect a largo increase in the annual appropriation. The debate was interrupted by the 5.80 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.80 p.m. Messrs \. L. D. Fraser and Fisher continued the financial debate.

The lion. Mr McGowan also spoke. He said bo did not pose as a financier, and would leave to the Colonial Treasurer the various arguments under that heading. He spoke at some length on the mining industry, quoting extensively from figures to show its soundness and prosperity. Ho also said that more coal had been produced last year than in any previous year in the colony. His speech was interrupted by the 10.80 adjournment, and the House then rose.