THE BUDGET DEBATE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 August 1913, Page 4

THE BUDGET DEBATE.

The Budget debate came to an end yesterday, when the Prime Minister made a -vigorous and effective reply to the criticisms offered by the Opposition. He had no difficulty in showing that the Dominion wag in a more prosperous condition than ever before, that the exports were rapidly increasing, that land was being speedily brought under cultivation, and that the credit of New Zealand stood higher in the London market than it had for many years .past. It is significant that Sir Joseph Ward did not speak on the debate. This is probably on account of the fact that he has already asserted that the financial operations of the Government ■should be removed from the realm of Party discussion. Be that as it may, the Opposition has endeavoured to make Party capital out of the financial arrangements of the Government, and by so doing have repudiated the attitude of the very man they ask to be their leader. The debate was lively'- at times; but it was attended by no good results, and, so far as the Dominion as a whole is concerned, it was a pure waste of time. The disoussion of the Estimates, which will proceed during the next day or two; will afford further scope for obstruction.