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Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 188, 13 August 1894, Page 2

The debate on the budget proposals of the Seddon administration differ in no material point from the debates on the financial statements of other Governments. The surplus is always made to appear non-existent or something less that it really is by Opposition speakers, while Government supporters applaud the Treasurer for the excellent results he has presented. Surpluses have come upon us with guch unerring monotony during the last few years, that it has emboldened the Colonial Treasurer to say that the word “deficit ” should have no place in the New Zealand budget. While we heartily subscribe to this doctrine, still we are of opinion that the redundancy of huge surpluses, such as the Colonial Treasurer’s of New Zealand have recently shown, indicates that more is being squeezed out of the people by taxation than is necessary for carrying on the Government of the country with economy and safety. It does not affeeb the main point to argue that a very largo proportion of the surplus is added to the public works fund and spent in national works, the fact remains that more is obtained from the people than is requisite for the proper administration of the Government. It is questionable whether a young country like this is justified in turning over its surplus revenue into the capital account. We are still in the pioneer stage of our existence with all the disadvantages and barriers attending such a condition, and to be overtaxed simply to provide a surplus for a party triumph is a cruel wrong. Taxation should be lessened, and no better method exists of doing that than through the customs. We regret, therefore, to lind in the budget that the revision is to be postponed. The present tariff was framed for the express purpose of providing an increased revenue, and was imi posed at a time when the finances of | the colony were at a low ebb. The tariff has more than answered its pur- | pose, and a revision could very well ' have taken plaoe this session. The ; duties on the necessaries of life, such jas tea, sugar, coffee, etc., should be j lowered or abolished. The price of ’ the farmers’ produce, compared with ! 1888, has fallen, but the price of hi? tea and sugar remains about the same, so that by the fall in value of produce his taxation has been increased, for he is obliged to produce more to meet the demands of the taxgatherer to-day than was necessary a few years ago. How much longer the colony will endure it we can hardly say, but then can be no doubt as to the urgent need for a revision of the tariff. The formation of a tariff reform league to ventilate the question is one of tin* needs of the hour.