The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1909. THE COUNTRY'S FINANCES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 143, 15 June 1909, Page 4

The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1909. THE COUNTRY'S FINANCES.

The important State document published in another column, speaks for itself. It is clear and concise, and he who runs may read. The Minister for Finance has a good tale to tell, and the matter, as well as the-man-ner of its telling, is a sufficient reply to all the evil forebodings to which we have grown accustomed of late. There is a revenue for the year over and above anticipations, a larger surplus than yvas estimated being tlie, result. .This is satisfactory, and still more so in view of the fact that tfte: Customs revenue shows a falling off, due to remissions, and slackness in importations. But on the whole there is much reason for congratulation, seeing that the tide has turned

and the normal condition of prosperity is being resumed. We are now , having, says Sir Joseph Ward, one of the best" seasons known in the his- , tory of New Zealand, demonstrated ■■ by the fact that exports for the first j five months of the year were nearly two millions greater than for the same period last year. The expenditure for the year was less than was provided for, an evidence of economy in administration. The floating debt had been reduced, and loans renewed at more favorable rates of interest. During the year very large advances had been made to settlers and workers, who were thus materially assisued in their operations at a time when they would not have been able to obi tain money from any other source, | and must have gone to the wall but for this useful department. The advances so made have enabled many workers to obtain homes for themselves, and it is satisfactory to note Sir Joseph Ward's intent ion to make arrangements for continuing this assistance on a still larger scale. Satisfactory provision for carrying on the public service till October will be made, and a further loan of a million and a quarter will be raised to continue public works, and provide for employment during the winter. Ihe complete details of the statement, and the new financial proposals, will prove interesting reading.