PAYING FOR THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 7 September 1915, Page 7

PAYING FOR THE WAR.

CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES.

Some new lines were followed by the member for Stratford (Mr Hine), m the financial debate on Friday night (writes a Parliamentary reporter)He .pointed out that last year's revenue was a record one, yet it seemed j strange that the Government ug , cognisant as it was of the trouble like. 1 V to arise during the war period, failed to exercise a rigid economy, it has allowed a huge increase in expenditure in face of a falling revenue. He could readily understand a Government dislike to retrenching, but the National Cabinet would have no tear either from House or country if ii i cut down expenses on the Tourist Department and new recreation grounds. Last year's accounts were bad. but the first quarter of this year was appalling- He urged the Government to taper off spending in the Post and Telegraph and-Justice Departments. Annual increments in the public service might well be done away Ayith. New public buildings ought not to be built at such a time, and it staggered him that a contract for a new police station was being let. Surely New Zealand could not allow the "co-operative labourers to be retained on those works when, owing to the departure of over 20,000 able-bod-ied men for the front farmers would be extremely short of labour this summer. He could not understand why members had received such a bare statement of the millions ' already spent in defence. AN EXPORT TAX. ♦'Sweep away the kerosene tax," urged Mr Hine, who declared himself in favour of an export tax of 1 per cent. It would reap £270,000 at one hit, and would be infinitely more acceptable to the farmers than the little bits of taxation pin-prick s which had been imposed. He strongly objected to the oil taxes,, which burdened a class doing so much for the country. Many farmers had installed milking and shearing machines run by benzine engines to take the place of boys who had gone to the front. A stiff tax on tyres or motors could be put on. He wished the National Cabinet well, and considered the experiment so happy in its results that it almost converted him to the principle of elective executive.