THE BUDGET.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1917, Page 2

THE BUDGET.

HOW IT WAS RECEIVED.

By Wire—Parliamentry Correspondent. Wellington, August 1. Sir Joseph Ward read liis budget to a very attentive House 'which applauded occasionally, and appeared rather startled on others. The big surplus had been anticipated, but members had not expected that the amount would exceed four millions. The announcement of the amount of the loan to be raised locally certainly surprised the House, which showed its approval of the Treasurer's plain hint that wealthy people who neglected to contribute, would be forced to do 50 by means of special taxation.

The galleries were full at the close of the Minister's speech. Mr. Pearce (Patea) asked if tho beer duty was going to produce the amount of revenue estimated.

Mr. Lee (Oamaru) said the beer duty imposed in 103(i had not produced the revenue that tho House had been led to expect. He hoped the House was not going to be misled again. The Government on two occasions had failed to tfix beer to tho extent the House liad been led to expect., and members felt and the people of New Zealand felt that beer could stand substantial taxation, and they would he very disappointed if the lax failed again. Sir Joseph Ward: "I hope the honorable gentleman does not mean to convey that I misled the House." Mr. Lee: "I said that we did not set as much revenue as was anticipated." Sir Joseph Ward said he had not misled the House directly or .indirectly. There could be 110 mistake about the estimate this year. The duty was beiiig increased by one fourth. The extra taxation on beer should amount to £40,000. He had no objection to the reduction of the strength of beer to the lowest point. If the reduction aiTccted revenue it would be the proper thing to consider the position again.