DOMINION'S FINANCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 November 1917, Page 2

DOMINION'S FINANCE.

“A VERY STRONG POSITION.” GOVERNMENT LOOKING AHEAD,, CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 6. In an interview to-day, Sir Joseph Ward said:—“Financially, I think I am justified in saying that though we are in a state of war we are in a very strong position. We require to be, and the legislation passed through this session makes our position still better and more effective to meet airy emergency that may arise. There have been great demands on the Government in many directions for increased expenditure, but while the Government has been willing to go a long way, and indeed as far as it is possible to at present to help our soldiers and their dependants, and the men employed in the services of the country through this war there necessarily is limit which the | revenue ,cf the country from all sources, including the high taxation which ' V had to "3:s imposed, canno' c:>

ceed. As a matter of fact the present Government is controlled in the matter of extending expenditure by the result of the year’s financial operations, and it is impossible to know what state they will be in at the end of the year. <y ) “After all it -has to be remembered | that when the war Is over the future 1 of the country has to be considered from the standpoint of every class — from „ the humblest to the highest — and it has to be not only considered, but dealt with on an effective basis. If the war ends within the next 10 months, there can be no doubt that many important changes will be absolutely necesasry in dealing with the altered conditions that this great and prolonged war is responsible for. It is idle at this juncture to attempt to prophesy what they will be, but I think that any sane man in any walk of life in this will agree that we must keep in a strong financial position to ensure that New Zealand will be a country worth living in and protecting, commercially and industrially. This can be done, and the fine heart and confidence that our people have shown in the matter of providing men and money to enable the Dominion to do its part, are one of the*, best auguries that one can refer to. Practically all the legislation giving the Government its present enormous power, which no Government should have in normal times, has been given with the distinct object of reaching this .goal with which the people of the country as a whole are j in whole-hearted and active sympathy.”