Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1893.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4455, 27 June 1893, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1893.

An interesting discussion is taking place in the Chrisichurch Press, on : tbat welcome little stranger, "The Surplus." Most people seem to think there is a surplus which baß arisen nut of the economies inaugurated by Sir Harry Atkinson and augmented by Mr Ballance; but still there are some cautious persons who Bliake their heads and say, " make sure that it is real aud not stuffed, and then we will talk.about what Bhall be done with it," However, the preponderance of testimony is in favour of the surplus being a reality and not a sbain; and then comes the question, shall it be spent on public works or absorbed'by a reduction of taxation. Wben, in the past, we have had clever Colonial Treasurers with deficiencies, extra taxation has been imposed upon us; it follows as a matter of common honesty tbat we have a moral right to a reduction of taxation when a surplus exists; but, unfortunately, common honesty is not the guiding star with politicians, The tendency is to spend the surplus in relieving the unemployed on public works, whioh means, to a certain extent, taxing the thrifty to Bupport the unthrifty. Some hold that taxes on improvements should be abolished; but this is a small affair whioh won't, in any case, make much of a bole in the purplus, if the latter be as big as it is represented, There are others who demand with much more reason, a [ free breakfast table, or a reduction oi Customs duticß on the oommon neces- ; saries of life, and this ought to com- • mend itself, in the interests of working men, to a Liberal Government,' A i suggestion, even more philosophical, i has been made, viz., that a.host of : minor duties that produce little . 'revenue and harass trade and.commerce, should be swept away. ] This is a statesmanlike view but it is . above the heads of our Liberal rulers. ' A more popular idea come? from a j

distinguished liberal who cries, divide the surplus amongst the Provinces on a population ba-is, but Ibis suggestion will notstand■criticism. The right suggestion for getting rid of the' distressing surplus ive b lieve, if there are any statesmen lo he found within the precinotsof the legislative building, would be to entourage colonial reciprocity, With a big surplus at its back New Zealaud is "in a position to enter upon a policy of reciprocity with Australia wbioh would give an impetus to ever? industry in tho colony and cheapen tbo cost of living. But have we siatesmen up to the level of colonial reciprocity ? We fear not 1