THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1910. THE FUTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10046, 21 July 1910, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1910. THE FUTURE.

j The more one looks into the Statement delivered on Tuesday night by the Minister of Finance, tbe more one is pleaied with the outlook. There is good cause for congratulation so far as the provision made for the future is concerned. Sir Joseph Ward is by nature optimistic, but few will venture to dispute the right of a Treasurer to felicitate a country where the facts and financial results are alike on his side, and in such a large degree satisfactory. Careful sobls will see in the increase of already fairly large salaries some alignt cause for disagreement; but

when we give ourselves time to think of the value of the services rendered by the holders cf these important offices, there can be no doubt remaining as to the fairness of the increments. The salaries fixed for the Defence officers are on the liberal side; but, provided always that these men [ carry out their duties satisfactorily, I they will well earn their wages. The outstanding feature of the Budget proposals is that for the repayment of the National debt. If Sir Joseph Ward is successful in carrying this proposal, and will surround the sinking fund with sufficient safeguards, he will have done something I for which the "unborn millions" will hold his name in greatest honour. Here again, Sir Joseph's optimism comes into the count. He confides that future statesmsn will be sufficiently., imbued with a patriotic sense to enable them to "keep their hands from picking and stealing," though he would possibly not go bail that they would keep "their tongues from evil speaking." But here is just where we join issue with the Dominion Treasurer, and we say unhesitatingly that there is no use in talking i about what Treasurers will or will I not do. These men hive aforetime "collared the sinking funds." It mattreed not what the political label of the party wa3; the funds were available, the Treasurers were needy, and away went the accumulations. No system will be satisfactory that does not place the Sinking Fund for the repayment of the National Debt of New Zealand out of the reach of any or every Treasurer. If the Government will, by Statute, appoint Commissioners to administer the Fund, Commij-suw.ers wh" will be appointed as »re our Judges (during good behaviour, and jernovsble only by a vote of both Houses of Parliam,n ), well and good. If not, thru all the fine resolutions, all the expectations, all the promises with regard to the future are so much idle wind. And having said this much, let us further say that, notwithstanding one's political prejudices, there is much to be grateful for in tha Treasurer's statement. Sir Joseph Ward, (like all other men who have held the position of head of the Government) is about the best abused man in the Dominion (we have never been able to understand the refusal to grant what is due to a man who seeks the well-being of the whole community), and he may expect that ccany of the proposals he has made will be adversely criticised; but there can bs no doubt about the value and the reasonableness .of many of them. There is, indeed, in the Budget under notice food for thought, and cause for pleasant anticipation. Upon Parliament will rest much of the responsibility for realisation of the programme. If our politicians will sink for the nonce their party feelings and unite in an effort for the betterment of their common country, the session now fairly embarked upon ought to be memorable.