NEW ZEALAND FINANCES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1017, 9 November 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND FINANCES.

DOMINION’S STRONG POSITION

Interviewed during his recent visit, to Christchurch, Sir Joseph Ward had something to say concerning the finances ot the Dominion. Although we are in a stale ot war. Sir Joseph felt he was justified in saying that financially wo are in a tery strong position. Wo require to be, he said, and the legislation passed through- tins session makes our position .still bettor and more effective to meet any emergency that may arise. There have been great demands on the Government in many directions for increased expenditure, but while the Government has been willing to go a long way, and, indeed, as far as it is possible at present to help our soldiers and their dependents and the men employed in the services of the country through this war period, there necessarily is a limit which the revenue of the country from all sources, including the high taxation which has had to bo imposed cannot exceed. As a matter of fact, (he present. Government is controlled in the matter of extending expenditure by the result of the year's financial operations, and ill's impossible to know what state they will be in at the end of the year. “After all, it has to be remembered that when the war is over the future of the country lias to be considered from the stand, point of every class—-from the humblest to the highest —and it has to bo not only considered, but dealt with on an effective basis. If the war ends within the next ten months, there can bo no doubt that many important changes will be absolutely necessary in dealing with the altered conditions that this great and prolonged war is- responsible for. It is idle at this juncture to attempt to prophesy what ihey will be, but I think that any sane man in any walk of life in this country will agree that wo must keep in a strong financial position to ensure_ that New Zealand will be a countrv worth living in and protecting, commercially, and industrially. This can be done, and the fine heart and confidence that our people have shown in the matter of providing men and money to enable the Dominion to do its part, are one of the best auguries that one can refer to. Practically all the legislation giving the Government its present enormous power, which no Government should have in normal times, fias been given with the distinct. object of reaching this goal with which the people, of the country,-■ as a whole, are in whole-hearted and active sympathy.”