THE BUDGET

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1920, Page 7

THE BUDGET

HON. MCDONALD'S CRITICISM. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 9. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, in an interview, said; “The Financial statement puts forward no comprehensive scheme for grappling with the heavy load of debt we have to cany, or for raising revenue on a scale corresponding to our needs. It shows no breadth of outlook or loresight in regard to future contingencies. The weakest feature is Mr. Massey’s proposal to refer such questions "as land and income-tax, death duties and tariff to a special committee. What Parliament and the country were most anxious to hear from Air. Massey was what new sources of revenue he meant to draw upon, and how ho proposed to adjust me burden of additional taxation that was so clearly necessary. Air. Massey has simply refused to face (he question- of taxation, and has sheltered himself behind this committee. He has, in fact, told Parliament and the people that, in regard to what must be by far the most important feature of the Government’s financial policy he would rather not take the risk of striking out a line for himself, but would prefer to throw the responsibility on other people. Was this a course we had a right to expect from the JPrithe Alinister, or a Government with any claim to be considered practical, resourceful, or statesmanlike?’,’