The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JULY 8, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2804, 3 July 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 1890.

tiijual anil cy.nct jiustice to ail men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

EykkyOai: will ilosin; to dual generously with tho Premier, but it is impossible to study tho I 'iuitncial Statement without feeling its iuadequacv to meet the difficulties of tho country. With taxation stmincd to tliu utmost, and with a dependence, too complete to be healthy, on the maintonanco ol ! high prices for our produce in the markets of l!.;e world, it is unsatisfactory in tho highest dogTl-o to be fold that i'urllier reduction in expenditure is not to bo thought of. Yet the Premier tell us this in the most precipe manner: ''Wo are convinced,' he says. that it is impossible to make any further appreciable reduction in tho public expenditure unless we are prepared to largely curtail tho public conveniences which are now' enjoyed, and the absonco of which will bo felt as a hardship.'' Considering tho enormous figures with which the Statement deals this stateinont is extraordinary. Tt is tho current departmental expenditure in which reduction is most necessary and most desired. To assert that this cannot be accomplished without serious public inconvenience, is practically declaring- it impossible. So too with the Property-tax. That wo aro told must be maintained. It may be slightly modified, but not in any direction to give real or effective relief.

The total amount uf expenditure for the year is put in the estimates, in round number:;, at four and a ijuarter millions. 01 this great sum interest, linking Fund, and various •Special Aets absorb L'_. I I t.Ol'O. The balance of 1 00.000 represents the annual expenditure, which, we are authoritatively informed, that no reduction can be made. It must, lie borne in mind that this l:irge num is absorbed. entirely, in departmenta 1 services nnd mail charges. Woads and brides, buildings, and even telegraphs, are not included in it. but charged to loans. Tlit! only practical aid given to colonisation is in the comparatively trifling grants to local bodies and charity and in the equally trilling share of the revenue derived from the leasing or selling of Crown lands. The position is by no means either safe or satisfactory. We have ceo,seel to borrow, as the Premier i

says, and as wo sincerely hope may lie the case. But it is not to hp forgotten that wc have hitherto liiid the balance of the last loan upon which to operate. J?or roads, bridges and railways we had still in hand front this source, on 151 st March last, the sum of £or>s,:M4. Small enough, considering the purposes 1.0 which it is to bo applied, and not likely to last long. We have also £377,2!1| left of the North Island Main Trunk Railway loan, with the pleasant consciousness that another million must ':>o added to it before the railway can be completed. This is due to the extraordinary errors in the estimates first formed. These sums will not last long. What position shall we be left in when they are exhausted, unless wo resolutely insist on a reduction in the current expenditure and, with it, in the taxation of the country] We are promised aid in ro-.d making, by Loans to Local Bodies under the Act passed for that purpose in 188(3, but if the Government become embarrassed that aid must go with the " substantial endowments" promised so plainly, but which have gradually decreased until now scarcely even " kept in view.'' The surplus of .£115,000 lias more than disappeared, After paying off the deficiency bills (for which purpose the primage duty was levied) we have £30,- r >99 left. But front this, £-0,000 has to go in aid of land revenue. The accumulated deficiency of £45,716 in the land fund during the last two years, is to remain an unfunded debt. Then, there is not only no surplus but an actual deficiency in all, if accounts were closed at the end of each year as in all prudence they should be. The primage duty has expired, but will be continued for another three months by resolution of the Mouse. If to be continued for a longer period it must be by Bill and the Government propose, in that ease to apply the proceeds to the building of schools and lunatic asylums. This being the financial position it must clearly take precedence, of the minor subjects referred to in the Statement. The country will have to declare in no measured tones that, whatever Government may be in ollice, an adequate; reduction in the Current Departmental Expenditure shall be, and must be. ell'ected, It will lie useless in any Government to seek to satisfy this demand by arrays of figures, or by tables of comparative statistics in their very nature capable of a dozen different interpretations, or a hundred different arrangements, as all statisticans well know. Deeds, not words, must be the cry, and no Government be allowed to remain iti otlicc that does not set itself strenuously at work to restore solidity to the finance of the colony. Till then, no sound progress can be expected. To invite us to rest atidbe thankful till things shall right themselves is mere folly, b'irm and wise guidance, and not drifting, is the policy which wc must demand, and no Government will be acceptable on any other condition. The elections are at hand and it will be for the electors to keep tiiis at ail events " steadily in view. '