WAR AND FINANCE.

Evening Star, Issue 16550, 9 October 1917, Page 8

WAR AND FINANCE.

.——, «4ADDITIONAL SEVEN MILLION INTERNAL LOAN PROBABLE. NO CUSTOMS TAXATION. PUBLIC SERVICE RETRENCHMENT IMPERATIVE. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) m. a ~'... ~ " WELLINGTON, October 9. • x T , h " an «al position was discussed thoroughly this morning by Ministers and both parties, a Cabinet meeting preceding each Caucus, so that members gained a clear understanding of the actual position in respect to war expenditure, which, owing principally to increased charges from the imperial suits, has soared far beyond the original estimate. As regards tno meetings of the parties, official statements have been made to <he Press but there are otuer features of vital interest to the country, and these can be discussed on authoritative information. K is proposed meantime to ask Parliament to give authority to raise an additional sum within the country for war purposes. This amount may be varied according to subsequent circumstances. If Parliament were to meet in April next year it would not be necessary to ask for more than an additional £S,CCO.CGO local war loan, but if next session does not begin till the usual time a great deal more than £5,000,000 will have to be raised. It will Hot be surprising if authority is taken to raise an additional £7,000,000 It l- now considered probable that the Government will not require to Melc an increase lit taxation ; indeed, it is practically certain that legislation n: tin? direction will not be forth'oming. There will be, however con»ideiv.k'e r-Pvnchmcnt in the Public Service. ij A !i.- ret; ''"f'' ls tlic P ositio " ot P»"ies ->■ j'>-»t Caucus is proposed to be ?t « , s afternoon, in order t-o discuss the question of supporting the National Government in their more important legislation. The practfee o' late has been to thrust one side into the unpopular lobbies, and this is connderoJ unfair.