THE BUDGET

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 31, 5 August 1936, Page 10

THE BUDGET

THE MAIN POINTS

PROVISIONS AT A GLANCE

Guaranteed price for finest grade creamery butter scoring 93 or 93J points 117s 3d cwt f.o.b. First grade whey butter 83 points and .over 117s lid cwt f.o.b. First grade cheese scoring 92' to 921 points 63s 7d cwt f.o.b. In future years cost of production standard of living of the farmer, and the, stability of the industry to be taken into account in fixing the guaranteed price. Arrangements made to continue to use efficient genuine distributors in Britain. 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 the burden of overmortgaged land. Competent farmers assured a reasonable income. Adjustment of urban mortgages; 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' f£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 £282,561,098. 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. Total of £600,000 for railway construction this year. : :...■ Expenditure of £1,610,700, on completed railway lines, station yards at Wellington, additional rolling stock and equipment, electrification of the Wel-lington-Paekakariki line, bridge renewals, and. other \vork. Expansion. of schools, mental hospitals, and public buildings generally to cost £1,200,000 by way of loan allocation. Expenditure of £400,000 for post office buildings and works. Additions arid extensions to schools and erection of new buildings to cost £500,000. Allocation of £400,000 jEor general buildings, including large office buildings in Auckland and Wellington. Improvement in accommodation at mental hospitals. ' - 'Extensive housing scheme outlined. Improvement of transport routes. Main highways expenditure estimated to reach ayroximately £3,050,000 for current year. Drainage of swamp and other lands, irrigation works, etc., to cost £320,000, augmented by Consolidated Fund grant. , Extension of Government operation's in., hydroelectric development. -; 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.. Cost to Consolidated Fund of restoration of salaries and wages in the Public Service1 as from July 1 last approximately £470,000. Extra vote for defence amounts to £250,000. ' Reorganisation of fishing industry and research work to be; undertaken. Additional officers to be appointed for the school medical service. Expansion of dental-service. Provision being made "for a scheme for a 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 lacking. ■ Full restoration of capitation payments to free kindergarten schools. Restoration of grant to W.E.A. Pension vote increased from £3,770,000 to £5,480,000. . ■Economic pensions increased to 25s weekly for war pensioners. Economic pensions payable to war widows and widow mothers fully restored. Allowances restored to wives and other dependants of deceased and disabled soldiers. Maori War pensions increased to £ 1 a.week.v '■-■,■' 4 ' Old age pensions raised to £ 1 a week. Women to receive old age pension at age of 60. Residential qualification of old age pensioners reduced to twenty, years. Income and not property to be decisive factor in determining- the 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 10s for' wife arid 10s for each child* up to 16 years. Maximum income qualification to be restored to £4 a week for family allowances. .Changes in income tax to yield £1,000,000. Reimposition of graduated land tax estimated to.produce slightly more than £800,000. Estimated increase of £939,000 in Customs revenue. Estimated increase of £368.000 in stamp and death duties. Minister anticipates revenue to amount to £31,067,000 and expenditure to £31,054,000.

Surplus estimated at £13,000.

Plans in preparation for construction of 5000 houses at cost approximately £3,000,000.

Nine hundred houses to be erected before end of financial year.