AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 8

AT A GLANCE.

BUDGET POINTS.

MINISTER'S OUTLINE. HEAVY WORKS EXPENDITURE. DAIRY PRODUCE PRICES. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) i WELLINGTON', this day. Points of special interest in the Budget, as presented to Parliament last evening by the Minister of Finance", Mr. Nash, are outlined in the following summary:— Dairy Prices and Marketing. Guaranteed price for finest grade creamery butter, scoring 93 or 931 points, 117/3 per cwt, f.o.b. First grade whey butter, SS points and ovo, 117/11 per cwt, f.o.b. First grade cheese, scoring 02 to 921 points, 63/7 per cwt, f.o.b. In future years cost of production,) standard of living of the farmer, j and stability of industry are to be taken into account in fixing the guaranteed price. Arrangements made to continue to use efficient genuine distributors in Britaiij. Expansion of trade with Great Britain and the making of reciprocal trade agreements. Extension of New Zealand's manufacturing and other industries. Rehabilitation of the farmer by removing burden of over-mortgaged land. Competent farmer? assured a reasonable income... adjustment of urban mortgages. Defenco and Employment. Effective defence of Dominion. Faith affirmed in League of Nations. Progress , towards full employment through extension of secondary industries and development of new industries and services. Promotion of as much full-time employment as possible. In ten weeks of placement plan 1462 men placed in permanent work, and 1185 in temporary positions. Estimated revenue of Unemployment Fund for current year £4,210,000. No Treasury bills -outstanding on March 31 last. No further borrowing abroad.Overseas indebtedness to be steadily reduced. . * Total public debt at March 31 last, £282,561,095. Public debt domiciled in New Zealand, £122,256,518. • No loan issue required this year for expanded Public Works programme. Substantial contribution out of Consolidated Fund for aerodromes, landing grounds,; and farms for unemployed workers!. Railways and Government Buildings. Total of £600,000 for railway construction this year. Expenditure of £1,610,700 on com- . pleted railway lines, station yards in Wellington, additional rolling stock and equipment, .electrification 'of the Wellingt on - Pae kaka riki li ne, bridge renewals and othe'r work. Expansion of mental hospitals and public buildings generally, to cost ■ £1,200,000 by way of loan allocation. Expenditure of £400,000 for post office buildings an<£ works, additions and extensions to schools, and erection of new buildings to cost £500,000. - Allocation of £400,000 for general buildings, including large office buildings in Auckland and Welling- - ton. •>. ■ ■ '"' J !■; • Improvement in accommodation at mental hospitals. •! 2 Improvement of transport routes. Highways and Houses. Main highways expenditure estimated ;■ to . reach., approximately £3,050,000 for current year. Plans in preparation for construction of 5000 houses at cost of approximately £3,000,000. Nine hundred houses to be erected before end of financial year. Drainage of swamp and other lands, irrigation works and similar under takings, to cost £320,000. Grant for extension of Governments operations in hydro-electric develop-' ment. Miscellaneous works, including lighthouses and extension of telephone and telegraph systems provided for to extent of £360,000. Radio beacons at suitable points on coast. Resurvey of New Zealand coastline to be commenced by H.M.S. Endeavour. Works and development programme, including maintenance of highways, allocated £10,450,000. Under Departmental votes provision [ is made for expending this year £4,817,000 more than was spent last year. Restoration of Salaries. Cost to Consolidated Fund of restoration of salaries and wages in the Public Service as from July 1 last, approximately £470,000. Extra vote for defence, £250,000. Reorganisation of fishing industry and research work-to be undertaken.

Additional officers to be appointed for school medical service and expansion of dental service.

Provision being made for scheme for daily supply of milk to school children.

Plunket Society grants restored to former level.

Increased subsidies to hospital boards. Extensive building programme in respect to education. Extension of free conveyance service to school children where rail facilities are lacking. Full restoration of capitation payments to free kindergarten schools. Restoration of giant to W.E.A. Pensions Increases. Pension vote increased from £3,770 000 to £5,480,000. Economic pensions increased to 25/ weekly for war pensioners. Economic pensions payable to war widows and widow mothers fully restored.

Allowances restored to wives and other dependents of deceased and disabled soldiers.

Maori war pensions increased to £1 a

week. Old age pension raised to £1 per week. Women to receive old age pension at

age of CO. Residential qualification of old age

pensioners reduced to 20 years. Income and not property to be decisive factor in determining amount of pension payable. All naturalised aliens otherwise qualified eligible for old age pension.

Miners' pensions provided and miners' widows' pensions restored. Widows' pensions increased. Deserted wives with dependent children able to qualify for pensions. Invalid pensions established, providing for £1 a week, plus 10/ for wife and 10/ for cach child lip to l(i years of age. Maximum income qualification to be restored to £4 a week for family allowances. Income and Land Tax. Chances in income tax to yield £1,000.000. Reimposition of graduated land tax estimated to produce slightly more than £SOO.OOO. Estimated increase of £039,000 in Customs revenue. Estimated increase of £308,000 in stamp and death duties. Minister anticipates revenue to amount to £31.007.000 and expenditure to j . £31,054,000. j Surplus estimated at £13,000.