AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24715, 18 September 1941, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

A WELCOME DOWNPOUR RESERVOIR CATCHMENT-AREA £ SYDNEY, Sept. 17. Metropolitan Water Board members and their officers are wearing their broadest smile for 12 months as a result of drenching rain falling in the reservoir catchment areas, as elsewhere. It is described as the best downpour for months. The board's immense storage dams were never so depleted, consumers being constantly reminded of the need for economy and the danger of a water famine. NEW SOUTH WALES BUDGET (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 17. The estimated total revenue for 1941-42 is £62,097,709, and the expenditure £62,077,562. There is an actual deficit of £856,853 for 194041. The Budget provides that the deduction of £SO for each dependent will be increased to £6O. Without giving actual details of his new income tax plan, Mr McKell assured the Legislative Assembly to-day that individuals receiving incomes to £ISOO a year, which he termed middle incomes, would pay less taxation than formerly, when they were required to pay both the income and the wages tax. Actually the- even higher income group—those earning above £lsoo—would not be asked to pay any appreciable increase. Mr McKell repudiated the suggestion emanating from Federal political circles that the State taxation measures would adversely affect the Commonwealth finances. WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) PERTH, Sept. 17. Introducing the Western Australian Budget, the Premier (Mr J. C. Willcock) said his Governhient did not feel justified in increasing taxation. The Budget provides for a deficit of £ 198,297. The estimated revenue is £11,527,138, and the estimated expenditure £11,725.435. Reclassification of teachers, basic wage increases, and child endowment will involve additional expenditure of £500,000.