THE BUDGET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 238, 13 November 1909, Page 7

THE BUDGET.

PREMIER REPLIES TO CRITICISM. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward, iaterviewed regarding Mr, Massey'a criticisms of the Budget, and especially the statement of Mr. Maasey that " the Budget proposals disclose a state of things calculated to make sane and sober-minded people wonder how this wild cat policy wUI end," Baid it was to be regretted that Mr. Massey did uot finish his observations and give {acts' instead of generalisations. The principal increases of expenditure proposed in the Budget were naval defence and internal defence, and for the first time in the history of tie dominion provision was being made for defence in the direction which the country generally desires adopted. The logical deduction from Mr. Massey's observations was that either the proposed strengthening of the dominion's defence should be abandoned or they should dispense witih defence altogether; but if it is believed to 'be necessary to place defence on a proper basis, it can't be done without paying something for it. "If," Sir Joseph continued, " Mr. Maasey can show how the increased expenditure for these purposes can be provided without furnishing ways and means to enable them to be effected, then he will perform a great service, not to the Prime Minister, but to the country at large." Sir Joseph added: "1< invite him to do so on suitable and practical lines and not by resorting to mere defamatory generalisations." As to the proposal that the principal source of taxation should be from increased death duties, Sir Joseph said that ev«n had there been no proposed increased expenditure, the proposed alteration in the death duties should be effected, as examination of the present law had disclosed to (his mind an absolutely rotten and indefensible system, which operated, unfairly in its incidence, being in favor of the wealthier classes.

Referring to the telegraphed statement that certain wine and spirit merchants were not consulted in regard to the agreement between the Trade and the New Zealand Alliance, Sir Joseph said he could not say anything in regard to the statement, as he had not been connected with the negotiations.