THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1901. THIS FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 190, 17 August 1901, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1901. THIS FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Another financial ytrar bas passed, and the ever-victorious 8 Premier has brought down a . substantial surplus. Reading between the lines of our correspondent’s brief message, it. will be seen that the" Government is hugely delighted at the unexpected result of the yearly balance. I With the extraordinary expenditure of the past year, due to the 5 Transvaal war and to the Royal visit, people would have been satisfied had we cleared expenses. But the dangerous corner is passed, and the Government, no doubt, is breathing freely again. Already lavish promises are being made, a State coal mine is to be opened, the capitation grant for educational .purposes i# to-, be increased, a line of steamers i^to v T . jj v-Li-V, ' v,

ba subsidised, and cold stores !or meat will be erected. It is not surprising to see a surplus for next year foreshadowed, although as yet it appea.s comparatively small, but doubtless during the year it will grow. With all our surpluses, our national debt is increasing enormously, and now stands at J,he alarming total of £49,592,245. It would take the surplus of four years—could it be spared—to pay the interest on this huge sum for one year* and should hard times come upon us our present rate of expenditure is not the best of training for meeting them.