Untitled

Temuka Leader, Issue 2465, 16 February 1893, Page 3

The Colonial Treasurer and the Anticipated Surplus.—The New Zealnd Herald, a prominent Opposition journal, frankly acknowledges that the anticipations of a surplus of nearly half a million sterling are well founded, and adds :—" The effects of such a surplus will be great and many. If the surplus reaches anything like that sum, it will cause New Zealand to shine out in brilliant contrast to the Australian Colonies ; it will tend to an increase of our population by the best class of immigration and it will greatly augment trade. Further it will enable the Colonial Treasurer to ease the burden of taxation, to still carry on public works, and to take measures to reduce the debt. ***** Last session the Government were pressed to made several reductions in taxation, but they steadfastly refused, the chief reason probably being- that they considered the proper time to make reductions in taxation was just before a general election. But the Colonial Treasurer may make everything right next session. To exempt improvements from the Land tax will lose :Ci>S,ooo to the revenue. But that can be spared and then all those who pay Land tax will be happy. As to the reduction on articles consumed largely by the poorer classes of the population, the Colonial treasurer may reduce the duty on tea from (id to iM. losing say £45,000. He might make some further reductions in the Customs, and still have a respectable sum to spend on public works. Happy is the colony which, at the end of tho year, has a surplus."

The corner stone of what is to be the grandest specimen of church architecture in tho Wostern world was laid in New York on the 20th ult. This great protestant Episcopal Cathedral of St .John the Divine will be 20 years building, and is to cost 10,000,000d01.