POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2646, 27 June 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(IJY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wlslington, Wednesday. THIS BUDGET.

The Financial Statement seems to be received uretty generally with a feeling of relief at Sir H. Atkinson's having made out such a favourable balance sheet in tho face of the recent severe depression. Although tho House was tolerably full, while tho Colonial Treasurer was reading his Statement last night there was little enthusiasm displayed until Sir Harry had finished, when he was accorded the usual round of applause, only that it seemed of a very hearty nature. The portion of the Budget that received the loudest approbation was the statement that the consumption of wool in the colonial factories during the past year largely exceeded that of previous years, and the cheers of the Protectionists were very marked at this point. There was also a round of applause at the reference to the satisfactory statement of the Midland Railway, and at the proposal to abolish the duty on machinery (of which I previously informed you there was a probability), but, strange to say, the announcement of a surplus was received quite as a matter of course, scarcely with half a dozen cheers, although it was the first time for many years that any of our Colonial Treasurers have had to announce the balance, however small, on the right side of the lodger. There ia disappointment in some quarters that the announcement of a surplus was not followed by a proposal to reduce the amount of tho Property-tax, but the general verdict to-day was decidedly favourable. NORTH ISLAND LINE. A determined effort is about to be made by the North Island members in the interests of the Main Trunk line of railway, and in a few days a deputation will wait on the Government, headed by Mr Bruce, member for Rangitikei. The deputation will strongly urge that the Government should continue the line on the section from the Wellington or Southern end, and make a connection thence with Auckland by road. PROPERTY V, LAND-TAX. The Government intend taking the promised debate on the Property-tax versus a Land-tax on the second reading of tho Property Assessment Bill. Ministers intend to stake their existence on the result, and if tho House decides against the Propertytax they will appeal to the country, as in the present state of the colony's finances they are not prepared to risk the responsibility of entering upon aspeculative course of taxation.