POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2239, 10 July 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. WE I. LINGTON CRITICISM [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, July 8. Interviewed regarding the budget, Mr. Mas oy said:—The general opinion amongst members of the Opposition is that while the Statement is worded a cry carefully for electioneering puip ses, it indicates that tho financial policy of the Government tends to recklessness rather than to the caul, on which should be necessary in a critical time such as the present, Personally, lie thinks the statements disclose a policy of plunge. The “Post” draws attention to the large under-estimating of the revenue/ and says: “To so largely exceed the margin year after year does not reflect. at all flattering upon the financial acumen or perspicuity of our Departmental permanent oificials. The adoption of the system prevailing in Great Britain whereby the surplus is transferred to tho sinking fund, as we have ~ consistently maintained, would lend to better financing, nml perhaps also to more exact estimating.” In conclusion, tbo “Post” says “the budget- concludes with a peroration against, tho croakers with which we can express a- qualified svmpathy. Indeed, as far as it goes, it is good, but a denunciation of the Minister’s own utterances with their direct inducement to plunging, was needed to put the protest, in its due perspective.” The “New Zealand Times” says:—“The budget is probably the best of tho financial statements of the Liberal period,. and incidentally, one of the best justifications *of the Liberal policy so steadily porsued for the last seventeey years. But for the results of that policy such a statement would not havo been possible. It is a budget, of commonsense, of legitimate hope, of scope unprecedented.” The “Dominion” says:—“lt is a ‘job lot’ budget, hearing many evidences of tlio pending of a. general election.” The “Dominion” praises somo points in the statement and condemns others. Speaking generally it says the Liberal administration has been.piling up expenditure and has beon assisted by an abounding revenue, but while the revenue may very easily shrink the public debt remains, and the people of New Zealand must pay the interest. Tho net public debt on March 31 last was tho magnificent sum of £63,524,961, and the interest and sinking fund paid last - year was £2,187,419 —equal to more than £2 per head of the entire population. THE LOAN BILL. The Loan Bill which was introduced to-night provides ■ for tho raising of a loan, of £1,250,000, at a. rate not exceeding 4) per ceut. Any of themoneys appropriated to specific roads or bridges, may be paid over in a whole or in any part to the local authority in whose, district the works are situated, or under whoso control such works are usually performed, ujxm such terms and conditions as the Minister' determines, by agreement with that local authority. SECOND BALLOT BILL.

, Tho 2nd. Ballot Bill, "which lias been introduced, .propose to amend the electoral laws by introducing a system of a 2nd. ballot. This system is designed to prevent any candidate at a Parliamentary election being returned by a minority, of the total number of votes recorded. If, at any election, no candidate obtains an absolute majority of votes a second ballot is to be held between, the candidates who obtain the first and second places at the first ballot, the other candidates being excluded. In tho districts of Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, Kaipara, Marsden, Taumaranui, Tauranga, AVakatipu, Wallace, . and Westland the second ballot shall be;taken 14 days after the Ist. ballot ; in other districts it shall be taken 7 days after.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE MONDAY BILL. The Public Holidays Bill, introduced by the Prime Minister, aims at introducing the Monday holiday principle. Labor Day shall be the third Monday in October, Dominion Day shall he substituted for the Prince of Wales birthday as a bank holiday, and all hank holidays which fall on any day other than a Monday, shall be observed on the following Monday. The same provision also applies to the Birthday of the reigning Sovereign, and to Christmas Day and Boxing Day when they fall on a Sunday.

THE SALE OF CHLORODYNE. WELLINGTON. July 9. Mr. Wilford is to ask the Government whether they are aware of the growing evil of clilorodyne drinking, and whether they will t ike steps to provide for restrictions on the sale of the same. Three women were, in the month of May this year, committed to mental hospitals through the clilorodyne habit.