Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 75, 16 August 1912, Page 4

Political Prattle

Eudget Bits.

Tlie first Budget of the Massey Government was delivered in the House of KVpresentutivesi on Tuesday evening of last week, August C, by tho Minister of Finance (the Hon. James Allen).

The Budget , was a combined Financial Statement and Policy Speech and set forth the Government's financial proposals for the year and a full statement of their policy for the future.

The Massey press proclaims with one pen that the Budget "marks an epoch in the Parliamentary history of New Zealand," that it is a "monument of statesmanship."

Liberal politicians and papers are not so gushful, but they generally give

it a grudging praise

Anyway, frankness and boldness, it is admitted, are features of the Budget, which lets the people unreservedly into the know, you know. Some progressive political proposals are included in the Government's policy, but other legislation is projected of which the workers of the Dominion will need to bo wary.

The chief points of the Budget are enumerated hercunder: —

The revenue for the year was £11,----032,544, and the expenditure £10,340,----368.

« # * The gToss public debt is £84,353,913. The net debt is £82,193,310. During the year the debt increased by £3,275,791. # * *

It is proposed to make the Legislative Council an elective body of 40 members, returned by two constituencies—the North Island and the South Island.

At the first election 10 members only from each island will be elected. a jf *

Fjach councillor will hold his seat for a term of two Parliaments, one-half the members retiring at each election.

The present members of the Legislative Council are to hold tiheir seats until the expiration of the periods for which they were appointed. * * * The second ballot is to be repealed, and another method of election of members of the House of Representatives will be substituted. * * * Loans amounting to £3,298,666 are falling due during the present financial year. * * * The total amount falling due'up to Inarch 21^ i> 1919,_is £23,176,478.

Full details of public expenditure will be laid before Parliament.

The proceeds of the Crown land sales will be used for land settlement purposes instead of being paid into the Consolidated Fund.

The destruction of political patronage in connection with the Public Service is to be effected by legislation. # * *

To attract young men to the service, increased salaries will be paid during tho first year of service.

The alterations proposed in the service will not necessitate any dismissals from the. service, or reductions in pay.

The General Manager of Railways (Mr. T. Ronayno) will retire in January. Applications lor the position will be advertised for in London. * * * Continued efforts will be made to bring about closer trade relations with Australia. * * * Closer settlement of the land is the most important plank hi the Government's platform. x- * * A considerable increase is to be made in the graduated land tax. The 25 per cent, additional tax now imposed on estates of £40,000 or more will be applied to estates of £30,000 or more. « * * An improvement in the system of land valuation is proposed, to distinguish between the value of land and the value of improvements. * » * A Bill to provide for pensions for women at 60 years of age will be circulated this session. Further extensions of the Widows' Pensions Act are pro-* mised. * * * Mining will have the "sympathetic attention" of the Government. * « * Military detention is to be substituted for imprisonment in connection with offences against the Defence Act. * •::- * An amendment to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act will be introduced. « * * Permanent representatives of employers and of workers are to be replaced by expert representatives from each sido in each case. ■v- ■::• * The secret ballot is provided for the decision of important questions both by workers' unions and employers' associations.

The. workers' homes schemes are to be extended by empowering county councils to borrow for the purpose of building homes for workers.

Everything possiLlo will he done lo further land settlement.

Tin* revenue for the current year is estimated at £10 and lh<* oni)eiidifiiiv£lo..S(i;j,oiiß. * *:• •"•

.V loan of £1,70U,000 will be asked for.