THE N.S.W. BUDGET.

Hastings Standard, Issue 451, 15 October 1897, Page 3

THE N.S.W. BUDGET.

< Pt'r Preys Aas-iriuti'in. —Copyriyht.} SYDNEY, Oct. 11. Mr Reid delivered the Financial Statement to-night. He briefly outlined his recent visit to England. He applauded Canada's action in lowering the Customs duties ; those colonics which had a high tariff might well make similar concessions in favor of the Mother Country. When in England he devoted his best energies to secure assent to the Aliens Bill, but believed this ivas impossible, the factor against it being the nonexemption of British subjects from the scope of the measure. He hopes to make a defiuite statement on the subject next week, and expects to secure legislation on the subject which, while not altogether meeting with his wishes, might still prove effective, and which would likely be assented to. The expenditura for the year was £9,505,000, and the revenue (including £383,000 brought forward from the previous year) amounted to £9,625,000, leaving a balance to the credit of £1,200.000. The railway revenue increased £194,000 over the estimate, and the land department £82,000, while the land tax was less by £381,000. The income tax had increased £82,000, Customs showed a decrease of £12,000 but stamps yielded £22,000 more thai, the estimate. The federal elections cost the colony £16,800. After the three years' drought which the colory experienced it was a matter for congratu-. lation that things were not worse than they were. Had average seasons prevailed the colony to-day would have been better off to the extent of 80,000 horses, 535,000 cattle, and 23.500,000 sheep. The mining industry also suffered severely from the lack of rain. As showing the fiscal return effected compared with the Customs duties collected in the year ended June, 1895, the taxpayers had been relieved through the Customs of £828,000. Next year this total would be increased by £G4,000. Relief to pastorales cost £98,000, making a total of £1,000,000 lost to the revenue of the country but left in the pockets of the people. This day. The Treasurer estimates the expenditure for the current year at £9,392,000, a decrease in the past year's estimate of £122,000. He expects a surplus next year of £59,000. At the close of the Speech Mr Lyne occupied the House till the adjournment in a fierce denunciation, declaring that never before had such a piece of tricky w T ork been carried out.