BUDGET DEBATE

Grey River Argus, 30 July 1924, Page 6

BUDGET DEBATE

STATEMENT UNRELIABLE. GOVERNMENT EVADING DUTY (Special to “Argus.”) WELLINGTON, July 29 The Financial Debate was opened ionight by Mr Wilford, who dubbed Mr Massey’s budget as “unreliable and inaccurate.” It was constantly contradicted by the Auditor-Genera is figures. The budget, he alleged, also contradicted itself. The finances revealed a condition that would surprise the public when the significance of things was realised. The country was not being governed by the Reform Party, but by concessions to enable the Government to evade its responsibility. Mr Wilford then went into masses of figures to prove his assertions. PARR DEFENDS BUDGET. THE CUTTING PROCESS.. (Special to the “Argus.”) WELLINGTON, July 29 In the Financial Debate, Hon Mr Parr said Mr Wilford’s criticism was petty and lie had not attacked the big things of the budget. His discrepancies were illusory. A reduction of £541,064 had been made in the capital value of discharged soldiers’ farms. A reduction of £289,263 had also been made on the mortgages. In addition, liberal concessions in rent had been made.' Ihe Government had kept expenditure down and saved £1,500,000 on its estimate of expenditure. The National Debt had been considerably reduced. The AX ar Debt had alone been reduced by lour and a half millions. New Zealand s credit to-day stood higher than ever, and its financial position was sound. The income tax, he said, would be reduced to about half what it was three years ago. The public and private debt of the country was £550,000,000, which was a big burden for a million and a quarter of people to carry.