BUDGET CRITICISMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1913, Page 6

BUDGET CRITICISMS.

SOME ATrCKXASTD OPINIONS. DEMAND FOB TARIFF REXORMDEFINITE XAVAL POLICY WANTED. The proposals in the Budget were the: principal tnpic among business people in the pity this morning. Several representative citizens were eecn by "Star" reporters during the course of the morning, with the idea erf getting ftO7ne irlpti of public opinion concerning the Government programme for the veal, particularly as some of the proposals were a radical departure from the past policy of the Dominion, euch. for instance, as the suggested removal of the restriction on private enterprise and railway construction. BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT. When seen concerning the Budget this morning, Mr S. J. Nathan, president of the .Auckland Chamber of Commerce, expressed mncli {ratification at the fact thai a revision of the Customs tariff was promised. ''It has not been revised for about a quarter of a century, , ' he remarked. '*and there are many harrassing anomalies that could be rectified with advantage. Jn addition to this, many classes of poods could l>c classified in a much better manner than has hitherto existed. These improvements would tend to the better administration of the Customs laws, bring them up to date, and afford the importers much relief." Asked if lie thought there would be any change in the incidence of the tariff, Mr Nathan said there was no means of knowing in what direction the foreshadowed alterations would tend, but he thought it would probably be found that in some cases there would be still farther protection ; granted to industries which required and deserved it.

In the course of some further remarks, the president said that, although he had not had time to go into the. J3udget at all fully, he had been much disappointed that there was no reference to ft lighthouse tit tho Three Kings. "Any new light on our coasts is to be welcomed," he observed, "but it is t,o be hoped that the matter of this light at the Three Kings has not boon disregarded. It is one of foremost importance." Regarding the promised help to fruitgrowers. Mr NatJian said that if the Government did give the assistance suggested in the matter of canning fruit, it would be an excellent tiling. There was no reason why sufficient fruit should not l<e ennned here for the whole population. There was still a large amount of canned fruit and vegetables imported, because they einild lie produced cheaper, and put up better in other countries which had the requisite facilities. If the Dominion were put on the same basis the fruitgrowers could easily compete with tho imported article both iv quality and price. The president said he was glad to see that a Public Works loan was to be raised. There was no doubt more money was required for the public works oi the Dominion, so that railways and roads could be pushed on without delay. ,It was very ""ratifying tha-t the Government was giving this mutter its attention. It wan also a subject for gratification that the revenue had exceeded the expenditure by such a large amount. It all betokened progress and prosperity. "I think it ifi a very good idea," he observed, concerning the proposed legislation to givn power to private persons to build branch linos of railways. "In certain cases, such a« "the Taupo Ttotura projected railway, and similar instances, the work could be carried out if the preeeat restrictions with regard to private enterprise were removed. Of course, the public interest rnus-t bn duly protected, and if this were done 1 do not soo any reason why a certain number of private railways should not be opened."

The fact that the legislation of last year regarding the freehold had resulted in 6iir:h a large number of appli cante for that tenure, was highly satisfactory. There could be little doubt that the farmers and people on the land preferred the freehold whatever advantage* might be claimed for the leasehold. "There has been a crying need for years past in regard to opening v.p native lands for eettlement." continued Mr. Nathan, in mentioning that he was sure the Budget reference to this much-discussed question would meet with appreciation.

Touching oa the matter of the income tax, the president observed that there could be no objection to smaller incomes paying lees and larger incomes paying more- That ecemed to be only equitable. A-ffcer Ba.tisfao.tion at the promise of a better system of encouraging the right class of immigrant.. Mr. Nathan said no one would grudge the elight increase promised in teachers' salaries. Their work was important and onerous, and he thought the only thin-r to be regretted in connection With the proposed increases was that they were not larger.

"I was exceedingly pleased to notice the reference to the* offices of the High Commissioner in London," said iTr. Nathan. "The suggestion to remove the offices to a better site and premises is a step in the right direction. This as a matter that hae been demanding attention for yeaiß. The present situation of the office in Victoria Street is not suitable, and the premises are not adequate for carrying on the business that is done there.''

WHAT PRUDENCE DEMANDS.

1 DEFINITE ACTION IN NAVAL DEFENCE. 'The Government's decision, in regard to the important matter of naval defence ;e being awaited with keen interest by the Auckland H\irbour Board," remarked Mr. J. H. Guuson, thie morning, in touching on the reference in the Budget to the negotiations with the Imperial authorities. He pointed out that the Bnard had framed certain proposals for ; ixtrnsh'o improTViilPnitf loc.ilh ts> make i!'.r iu*«oroiiiodai:on i-f ihf port ne !hc i nava-1 ■Ikhi* worthy <~f Iho Dominion, bu: until final arrangement* wore completed ' and announced by thr Oovfrnm-eni, the ■ r.nard cniilri no: proePPtl further. It j H'ae obTioue. he thought, that the New i Zealand liov-ermnent could not move j very rapidly in the matter, as the co--1 operation and approval of the Imperial

Government was necessary, but the development of the Pacific interests was such tirat on the grounds of reasonable prud-enee alone it was high time something waft done to .bring our interests more in harmony with the demands of the times. In view -of Hβ existing relationships with the Admiralty and. the grave responsibility resting on it the Board was anxious to co-operate with the Government, and Mr Guneon.strongly urged that definite action should be taken before the present seeeion closes. A continuance of existing conditions ' would not be satisfactory to either ■Auckland or the Dominion.

TTHIVERSITY EDUCATION. BETTER PROVISION LIKELY. Although tie Budget does not contain any definite undertaking in regard to the pressing needs of ttie Auckland University- OoHege. Dr. McDowell, a member of the Council, i« -hopeful that satisfactory provision will be made before the present session ends. He understands that the Education Oommrttee will immediately consider the report submitted last year by Mr. E. Hogben, In-spector-General of Schools, recommending that the four University Colleges receive a statutory grant of £7,000 each, and £2,500 ea«h from one-third of the revenue from national endowments set aside for (higher education. At present grants received toy £ho Auckland College total £7,200, and a further vote of £1,000 is being asked for this year to strengthen the professorial and lecturing staffs. The increased grants recommended by Mr. Hogben will solve the financial difficulty and provide a valuable addition to the College funds. Dr. McDowell i* also of opinian that tho Education Committee wHI consider the local application for a school of ardhiment had not yet gone fully into the requirements of university education, but the promise that the most urgent needs would be provided for indicated that the whole subject would be reviewed, and no doubt adequate consideration would be extended to so important a factor in the Dominion's educational necessities. ' RAH.WAY DEVELOPMENT. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE APPROVED. The idea of permitting private enterprise to carry out branch lines under proper conditions for the protection of the interests of the public is approved by Mr. G. L. Peacocke, president of the Auckland Railway League, because the effect would be to leave the Public Works Fund free for the more rapid completion of the pressing main lines, and the speedy linkin-r-up of the important districts now handicapped by the absence of railway communication. Re stressed the point, of course, that any concession granted should be subject to the right of the State to purchase at a subsequent date and to stipulations as to fares nnd freights, on similar lines to "Parliamentary trains" in the Old Country. Mr. Peacocke said he would like to fee the Mokai-Taupo extension authorised under such a system, as it would open up a lot of useful country nnd provide a shorter nnd more convenient route to Taupo. The question of standard lines as against light lines was one for the engineering authorities, and there should always be careful inqnirj- us to subsequent, conversion in th« case of the lighter-constructed connections. As there wa-s no indication in the Budget as to funds available for main line railway construction generally the league would anxiously await a definite intimation on the subject.

BALD AND MEAGRE POUCY. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS UNANSWERED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter ) : WELLINGTON". Wednesday. | "The baldest, most meagre and destitute of polieii"; ever presented in Die history of Parliament." was Mr. <;. W. Russell's first expression when he gaye 1 your correspondent Ills views on the Budget. The statement by the Hon. I Jas. Allen was. Mr. Ru«»el] said, charae-j terised by a timidity which showed an utter want of appreciation of ■the potentialities of a great country. "Apparently,'! declared Mr. Russeil, "the Ministry is destitute of initiative, and the only tiling that can be said is that it proposes to follow in the lines of its predecessors, with the exception of a few minor details. Their promise of non-borrowin<r. or ; \ reduction of borrowing, is completely negatived by their admission that during their first year of office the public debt increased by £■"<.700,000, an amount which is absolutely appalling bearing in mind their professions before they secured office. Important qnestions like electoral reform, Customs tariff, the development of tins iron and steel industry, and local government reform have been left alone for decision at some other time. Apparently, even at this advanced of the session, the Government has no policy on these important matters. Aα for the outstanding question of naval defence, notwithstanding the fact that we were assured that Mr. Allen hnd brought back a scheme ready for Parliament to consider, the Government now puts forward the lame excuse that it has still to settle by correspondence certain details with tlie Admiralty. Are they afraid to submit their policy to the country?" asked Mr. Russell. "They hope, that the discussion that will take place in Parliament on this matter will give them a lead, and enable them to sec how far they can safely go with a view to the feelings of their own party."

To cope with the anticipated rush of paeeenger traffic to Auckland for the Exhibition during the Clirietmas and New Year holidays, the Railway Department during that time intends running four expresses daily on the Main Trunk line. The ordinary Main Trunk express from Wellington, at 11.50 pjn., will run as usual; the second cxpreee, recently discontinued, will commence running on the Ist November: tihe third relief express, which ran during the Christmas and New Year rush last year one hour alter the ordinary express, will run between lSth December and 10th January; tie fourth express will run from Palmerston to Auckland. This latter train will leave Palmereton North about 2.30 p.m., and will probably take the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa traffic. This train will run .probably from 22nd December to 6th Jannarv.

Mr .T. Tliornes dfiKlres to ciraw- special attention of speculators and others to his sale of .illntiucnts in Iliunillnn. knofvii as Allendnlr l>t:u<>. T ho swtloiis are all larßO. wiLli fronMu.-s u> tvra ;:o.ml roads, !n mine. Ila-ini!:. :i :s rp.'.i-_-n>svi! :is thr- <-?U! ;■<• for all trailr ;n Hip Wnikam. and to ensure l.h<> whoir of ibo- plphtpfj iillotnii>nts twins Viimds required :i<* ili*pu?it. Lithographic plfins of rne PFtatP nrc "MainaMp at the offioe. S3. Qnoen Siren. :;ncl the sale tafces at 1- noon sbarp to-morrow. Full particulars in our advertising colnnms.