NATIONAL FINANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18299, 16 January 1923, Page 6

NATIONAL FINANCES.

~ .-.; "'." - ■■: ■ ■■-■...• . '-■■■:■■') RAILWAY RETURNS IMPROVE. TAXATION MUST BE REDUCED STATEMENT BY THE .PREMIER ■• ■-.;'., / ■■■' ■■■' ' " '•'".' ■ "s. '■ ■' - '■'•' ''■'.'."' [BX TEtE.GRAPH.««-P»ESS ASSOCIATION.] " WELLINGTON. Monday. / The following statement was made .to-' ~day by! Mr. Massey :—" It will be satisfactory to most people who look at what has appeared recently with regard to the public accounts to notice that the railways for the last quarter have paid their way, including interest-on the cost of construction, and, in' addition to this, for the same quarter there' was an excess of about £100,000. - "I hope that if the Improvement which is taking place continues we shall be able next session to make a further reduction in taxation, and so lighten the .load which many of the taxpayers .at' present find a difficulty in carrying. I think the public are beginning to realise .that if wd are to have permanent prosperity, taxation must be reduced in the interests of every class of the community. "Just at present, the prices of our staple product are"- good, but while I am glad to acknowledge that the outlook is very encouraging, it may not always he so good as it is just now, and we have to prepare.accordingly." * | ■_~ ■ '■•■■):