THE BUDGET

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 23, 27 July 1920, Page 8

THE BUDGET

PROBABLE PROPOSALS

The Financial Statement will be delivered in the House of Representatives by the Finance Minister (Mr. Massey) this evening. This surplus for last year, approximately -£2,306,000, has already been announced, so little interest will be manifested in last year's accounts, except as they bear upon this year's taxation •proposals. So much has been said of the tariff revision that will come next year, that it is safe to predict no extra taxation will be imposed in this direction this year. At the same, time, no relief will be;'given; The Government's obligations are increasing every day. There is an additional amount of £2,000,000 for increases in pay to State servants, and this is sufficient to warrant the Government in giving away no revenue, despite last year's surplus. An attempt will probably be made to secure moi'e equitable distribution of taxation. The principal grounds of complaint: lately have been." the burden upon companies and the burden upon families. Both are due for some relief,, and, so far as the families ai-e concerned, Mr. Masssy has stated his 'sympathy. There will, however, be.'norMrd-an'd-fast proposals 'in the Budget. All taxation proposals will be referred to the Finance Committee, and details, will.be given.in. the, Finance Bill when.it comes down. • „. ,

Public works ai-a ■ expected to pi'oceed more expeditiously -this year, and more money will accordingly be required. • Hydro-electric schemes especially are nearing the stage when money may be spent more.freely. A loan to provide' more money for these and other purposes 1 is 1 Sue for announcement. The amount is not settled yet, but .it will probably be. in the neighbourhood of eight or ten millions—this .is a favourite amount for a large loan. Details of public works policy' will be reserved for the Public Works' Statement, but some broad outlines may be given in the Budset. Roads and motor taxation may he mentioned : with various other local Kjvernirtent finance matters, such as 'nbspdtat-'ifia.'tihari'iaWo.'aiil.V The "Budget will certainly give prominence to the increasing obligations of the country ■and the many demands-.made. There is, for example, 'the claim for- relief to" pensioners" and superannuitamts. The case of the latter has been put strongly "before the Government ■■■.-. There will be a general indication of new legislation, but details will not be given till the Bills-come down.