THE BUDGET.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1920, Page 5

THE BUDGET.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT, MORE MARKETS REQUIRED, LACK OF SHIPPING PROPOSALS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives tonight, Mr. T. M. Wilford, in the absence of the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Leader of tho Opposition, opened the debate on the Budget, which, he said, was a disappointing document, offering little-hope to the great mass of the people. Proceeding, Mr. Wilford said that first and foremost in the Dominion's requirements was increased production. That implied better markets, and this in return involved better shipping facilities, about which the Budget was silent. So far as he could see producers would be left at the sweet will of the shipping combines, and there was no constructive proposal made by which our products are to'be placed in the markets of the United States and South America. Wo required a commercial agent in the States who could take hold of our products there and see to their proper marketing. s Mr. Wilford advocated a levy on wealth, and for this purpose he commended the .system suggested in EngThis scheme did not mean much to individuals, but it would mean millions.to the country. He also commend* ed the idea.that a committee of experts be called together to consider the best means of reducing the National Debt, TAXING LAND. |; ' Passing to the question of taxatioi, he declared the Government failed if- its duty'% not increasing tho graduated land tax, and increased death and) succession duties. He also charged the government with failure in its duty in?not introducing an amending Customs Act so as to give the people relief from the heavy burdens they had to bear,/ Mr. Wilford next attacked Government for the sugar contract made with the Colonial Sugar Company, arid which, he maintained, was a costly one for the country. Nothing but the mismanagement of the Government had resulted in the people having to pay Bid per lb. for their sugar. He advocated the establishment of a State Bank. The Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture) detailed the efforts the Government had made in opening neyv markets, and to provide better shipping faeilties —even markets in South America not being neglected, as he personally had approached the snipping companies to assist the producers in that connection. In reply to the demand for a levy on wealth, he pointed to compulsory loans, which served exactly the same purpose. DISTRIBUTING THE BURDEN. The Minister said the Government was not in favor of more taxation and still more taxation. There were no immediate prospects of a reduction of taxation, and the Government did n&t pretend there was, but the Budget promised legislation to secure a more equal distribution of the burden. His personal idea was that the foundations should be broadened and deepened so that many who now paid nothing should contribute something. He maintained that, even under the present incidence of taxation people on the land must pay an increased amount. Indeed, it looked as if they were rapidly reaching a point at which they could not be asked to pay more. He favored an increase qf the amusement tax. Dealing with the wheat and the butter position, he deprecated the system of paying subsidies, which was only a system of make believe. The only sound and proper principle for a country like ours to work upon was tho exportable value of our products, and if we could not produce them on that basis then we had better go without. Proceeding, he defended the policy of the Immigration Department in bringing out people to settle in the Dominion, and denounced as unpatriotic those who were seeking to deter others from coming here to better their position. Disloyalists of that kind should, if not satisfied with the conditions in this cpuntry, go bag and baggage out of it. In conclusion, he made an appeal to the Liberals to join with the Government in repelling these unpatriotic influences. THE NAVAL POLICY. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) complained that this, the first Peace Budget, contained no financial lead or policy. He had little faith in sinking funds, and thought that we should face the position boldly and make a determined effort to pay off the millions which we borrowed from Britain to enable ur to do our share in carrying on the war. Some such proposal as that was what he was looking for in the Budget, but all they got was a meagre proposal to pay off .£BOO,OOO of these millions. Referring to the proposed loan, he predicted a time of dear money was coming, and he deprecated delay. He said nothing had profited by the war so much as-land, and a higher graduated tax iwas necessary. Coming to, the naval policy, Mr. | .Forbes complained that no opportunity had been given to discuss Lord Jellieoe's naval report, or naval policy generally, yet the Budget propounded the naval policy without the House having the slightest, say in it. He asked the Premier, even now, to give a day to discuss Lord Jellieoe's report, and let the "Teat subject of naval policy be thoroughly threshed out. The adjournment of the debate was moved bv Mr. Luke, and the House rose at 10.59 'p.m.