REVENUE RETURNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 18

REVE NUE RETURNS.

A SATISFACTORY INCREASE. STATEMENT Bi oj.i* J. G. WARD. DARGAVILLE, Maroh 3. During his speech here to-night the Prime Minister referred to the revenue result 6 for the last 11 months. After dealing with the total amoutit, expended on public- works (£2,7oo,ooo)— the largest amount that had been epent during any year for the last 25 years, — the Prime Minister went on to give the -financial results for the 11 months ending February 29. These were simply magnificent, he said. In December last be had predicted that the revenue at the end of March 31 last year, which amounted to £8,950,000, or £550,000 better than the previous year, and £750,000 more than the Budget Estimate, would be exceeded, and this would be fully realised, if not much exceeded, in another month. The increase to date ivas £557,989 beyond the previous year — a wonderful increase for this small country, — pointing to the buoyanoy of revenue, the satisfactory state of the resources of the Dominion, the energy of the people, and to the fact that they were producing more on the land and prospering. The nature of the increases was especially gratifying. Customs were responsible for £102,121, stamps for £125,480, land tax £91.718, income tax £46,596, railways £158,395, and territorial revenue £38,654. The total revenue received was £7,899,315, as against £7,341,326 for the same period of last year. Having made the forecast a year ago, the Prime Minister said the resuite were something of which he had every reason to be proud. He would also direct attention to what the Government had been doing in connection with roading the back-blocks and helping those waybacks as 'they deserved. "-From April, 1901, to Maroh 31, 1907, £1,927,834 had been expended on roads, and the amount provided for making roads this year wa* £528,318, which told its own tale. As they all knew, it was now proposed to ask Parliament to set asi-le £200,000 per annum for five years for roading the baokblocks — a proposal that must be a source of considerable satisfaction not only to tho settlers but to every well-wisher of the Dominion. Replying to criticism that the Government was going too strong in connection with the expenditure of £30,000 in the erection of bath-houses at Rotorua, he said the income amply justified what had been done, easily reachiag, as it did, £10,000 at least per annum. Misstatements regjrding the expenditure on Dunedin Railway Station also came in for passing mention. Instead of this being £150,000 it was £35.000. The former figure included four or five railway eklings in addition to the main station. In concluding, Sir Jcseph said that if the time came when the present Government went out of power no hunting in pigeonfcaiss g<ari.i a«fiat «£.<*£ 9k for jpaaisfc

or dishonesL act by any member of the present Ministry. A unanimous vote of thanks and, confidence was passed. •