The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 8, 1931. THE BUDGET.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 8, 1931. THE BUDGET.

The Supplementary Financial Budget which was delivered in the House on Tuesday by the Hon. Down-ie Stewart, Minister of Finance in the Coalition Government, was a lengthy document in which was set out in detail the causes of t.ie present financial position, and the necessity of making such financial arrangements as would place Few Zealand finances on a sound footing. As the Minister stated in the course of his lengthy document, is rs a difficult matter, practically impossible, to state definitely whether the steps now proposed to balance the position will have the desired effect). The whole position of world affairs is in such a mix-up, that it is very difficult to attempt to gunge the progress of tile next few months, and therefore the proposals now made are of a somewhat tentative nature, The general proposals made for improving the financial position of the Government will have the approval of most people. The urgent necessity of giving substantial assistance to struggling farmers is recognised, as also is the necessity of continuing to increase the output from the land, and in this connection,, the proposal to assi.t hv a subsidy on the cost of fertilisers will have approval. The proposal to repeal the graduated laud tax, and the further relief by a reduction of taxes, will assist to stem over their difficulties, while the increase in income tax on individuals though it wll be received without much satisfaction by those affected must be regarded as fair and reasonable for tho c e who have the income necessary to be taxed are best able to pay. The various proposals for balancing the budget are set out in detail, and though there may lie criticism of some of them, it will readily be 'admitted that when a difficult position has to be met. that the procedure must appear to harshly aft’*" t some particular point of view. There ts ,-n urgent necessity to balance the finances of the country and it would appear that an earnest endeavour has been made to do so with the least possible interference to the welfare of the people, and with a recognition of doing 1 the utmost possible to assist in the improvement of the rural industries dur-

mg the very trying period that the country is suffering from.