FEDERAL BUDGET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 254, 24 September 1935, Page 7

FEDERAL BUDGET

SMALL SURPLUS DISCLOSED. SOUND FINANCE POLICY. PROGRAMME OUTLINED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received September 24, 8.5 a.m. CANBERRA, Sept. 24. The Federal Budget was presented in the House of Representatives last night by the Treasurer (Mr R. Casey), who emphasised that the Government intended to continue its policy of sound finance and the maintenance of economic stability. The revenue for 1934-35 amounted to £61,702,482, and the expenditure to £60,991,277, leaving a surplus of £711,205. The estimated revenue for the current year, allowing for contemplated remissions in taxation and other iorms of relief, was £77,190,000 and the expenditure £77,173,000. Mr Casey said the Government intended to reduce the super-tax on property and income from oto 5 per cent., sales tax exemptions would ho extended, and excise duties on tobacco and cigarettes manufactured wholly of Australian leaf would be lowered. These remissions would amount to £510,000. There wauld, in addition, be a partial restoration of the salaries ol public servants and the staffs of the military and navy, representing £90,000, while allowances of Ministers and members of Parliament would be restored by a sum of £3OOO. The Government estimated that the second year of the defence plan would absorb £7,302,000.

Unemployment had been reduced from 30 per cent, in 1932 to 16 per cent, at the present time. The Government’s grant for trade and publicity abroad would be increased to £25,000.

Mr Casey announced a comprehensive plan for the development of aviation arid better marketing facilities with Government . aid to necessitous farmers and orchardists. DEFENCE EXPENDITURE.

There is a per cent salary restoration for public servants. A bounty of 2s per case on oranges sent to the United Kingdom will be provided. The outstanding feature _ of the Budget is the big increase in expenditure for defence purposes.

MOTION OF CENSURE. LABOUR PARTY NOTICE. CANBERRA, Sept. 23. Mr F. M. Forde, deputy-leader of the Federal Labour Party, in the House of Representatives this afternoon gave notice of motion of censure on the Government on the ground of its failure to call Parliament together for more than 39 days in 12 months, its failure to embark on a bold policy of dealing with the unemployment problem on a national basis, its failure to deal with the drift in the overseas trade balance, and its failure to formulate a permanent plan for the relief of primary producers. The Federal Labour Party to-day unanimously decided to urge Mr J. H. Scullin to reconsider bis decision to resign tlie leadership. It is understood, however, that Mr Scullin is unlikely to retract owing to the unsatisfactory condition of his health.