Summary of the Proposals.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 506, 13 November 1909, Page 3

Summary of the Proposals.

Increase in public debt for year, ,£4,484,637. Of this ,£2,633,919 is directly interest bearing. The public debt from 1891 to 1909 increased by £32,108,184, Of this sum £21,090,070 was directly reproductive. “State coal mines . . in a few years . . will stand to the Dominion practically free of cost.” Public and private wealth increased from 1891 to 1901 by £300,000,000. “ The population has not increased at nedrly the same rate as the increase, in wealth and income.” “The increases in the rate of

graduated tax have been more than compensated for by the loss of revenue owing to the promoting of closer settlement.”

“The financial operations ” (for the year) “must be considered satisfactory even by the most fastidious Critic.” There has been a steady increase in the amount of land tax collected.

Increase in graduated tax for the year amounted to ,£23.248. Income tax revenue has also shown a consistent increase.

Post and Telegraph revenue shows a material increase.

Crown tenants increased by 1108 during the year. No less than 28,000 settlers and workers have received advances from the State.

Negotiations are proceeding with a view to including Auckland as a port of call for the Vancouver steamers.

The Premier hopes to be able to Jay definite proposals for wireless telegraphy in N.Z. before Parliament this session.

Fresh old-age pension proposals will be submitted to Parliament. Government is 'considering the question of a State-owned ferry service between Wellington and Lyttelton. The Dreadnought is to. be paid off in 18 years.

On the question of a local Navy Sir Joseph Ward remarks:— “ This is a question of cost.”

The local defence system must undergo “ a complete reorganisation.”

All persons physically fit between the ages of 18 and 21 “ will undergo two years’ compulsory training.” Afforce of 20,000 will be organised (voluntarily)This force will be established on the Ist March next, in the larger centres of population onlyCompulsory training will commence as soon as the requisite registration can be completed. Training will be in ordinary civil dress.

Retrenchment affects 940 civil servants.

Licensing legislation this sessionBoth parties have agreed to it. No further amendments “will be required for several years.” Pony racing is to be stopped.

The House is to be given an opportunity of deciding what form of betting is to be allowed bn race courses.

“No part of the nine million acres constituting the national endowment will be disposed of on any term except that of leasehold.” Three options are to be offered the holders of 999 years leases.

Holders of renewable leases are to be given the freehold “at the original value," subject to recurring charge, every 33 years, equivalent to one-fifth of the increase in the unimproved value found to have taken place between these periods.” To holders of leases under Lands for Settlement the Government proposes to grant the freehold at the original value, just as in the case of the ordinary Crown Lands but with double the recurring charge —that is to say, two-fifths, instead of one-fifth, of the increase in the unimproved value. Native lands to the value of half-a-million to be acquired each year.

Drastic measures must be employed to check the evil of aggregation. No applicant for land to be under the age of 21 years—l 7at present. New native land legislation to be introduced. Death duties to be amended. Banks do not contribute sufficiently to the revenue. There will be increased charges in respect of banking business. Graduated tax to be increased so as to produce £BO,OOO additional per year. Betterment system in respect of the construction of railways to be provided. Contributions are to be made to the Railways and Police Superannuation Funds.

Public Service Superannuation Act to be altered.

Long distance travelling rates on railways to be abolished. Dutiable goods to be taxed an additional 1 per cent. Total receipts of race clubs to be taxed 2)/z per cent.

Total increase taxation from various sources to provide £448,000 per annum.

Estimated expenditure for this year, ,£9.015,878. Estimated revenue, .£9,020,000. Estimated surplus, ,£188,443. “ The financial stringency . . may be regarded as a thing ot the past.” “ Even the professed prophets of evil, who wail their jeremaids when the smallest clouds show in the financial -horizon, are already changing their note now that the sky is clearing.”

“ The enormous resources of the Dominion, with a judicious expenditure of capital in their development, will in time make her a much greater member of the Imperial sisterhood.” “The prosperity of our Dominion will not be brought about by gloomy forebodings, begotten by want of faith in the future, but by a determination to jneet and overcome the difficulties which may beset the way. The people, animated by a desire to advance the interests of their country, should march shoulder to shoulder, irrespective of political creed, and relegate carping criticism to the unknown.”

“ The prospects before us are brighter than they have been for some time.”