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Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1932, Page 4

The proposals contained in the Budget brought down on Tuesday night by the Prime Minister in the House are of an interesting nature. The financial position revealed is of a much more favourable nature than had been expected some months ago. when the Treasurer reported that there would be a deficit of a very extensive nature, in spite of every effort that was being made to cope with the difficult position, lb appears however that there has been a decided uplift in the financial barometer as affecting the Government position and that as against an estimated deficit of £2,060,-. 000, the actual deficit will he only £1,000,000. This though substantial, is satisfactory in that it is considerably smaller than was hoped for earlier in the year. This pleasing result shows that the economies effected in the various services have had a substantial effect and that they have materialised to & very much larger extent than was hoped for. There are still a large number of curtailments in the cost of administration available, according to the report rf the National Expenditure Commission of whieh many particular suggestions have been given publicity in the last day or two. The statement announced that there were to be no more drastic taxation charges, and this relief will he welcome,, as the people who have loyally supported the National Government in their effort to balance the finances, have felt that any addition to the present very heavy demands made would prove more than they could manage, as the present demands on them are of a sufficient burden to cause much difficulty for most taxpayers to meet. The position is still far from clear but the fact that at the present time there is the assurance that there will he no increase of the' burden of taxation will be pleasant news. The Government, it has been recognised, have had a very difficult task in the past months of stringency, and it is gratifying that their and determined efforts to meet the necessities of the case, have at least succeeded to this extent in over-’orning the many difficulties that had come tombl in a- in front of them from all points of the compass. The position as it now stands would point to the fact that with a continuance of the mre and forethought that has been given bv toe present Government that the country will in the end win tfironrrh to a more satisfactory issue, when some relief will be possible from the very heavy taxation that p.t present toe country is stagger inn under in the effort to half,roe the position.