NATIONAL FINANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16827, 14 December 1928, Page 11

NATIONAL FINANCE

THE APPROPRIATION BILL LARGE SUMS PROVIDED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, lust night. When the House met at 2.150 p.m., upon formal business being called on, Sir Joseph Ward intimated that Ministers did not propose at that sitting to answer questions put without notice. Later he proposed to ask the House to adjourn and meet again at 7.J0, when he would place before members an important Hill which he would ask them to put through till stages and pass before rising. .Mr. 1\ Fraser asked if the Government proposed to answer questions tomorrow, or whether they proposed to complete the business of the session to-night. There \v r erc one or two important matters requiring settlement. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that to-night he proposed to put through necessary legislation. If the lion, gentleman had any particular matter in view he would ask him to wait until he had had the opportunity of making his statement. He might then find there would be no necessity to put his question. When the formal business was completed, Sir Joseph Ward said he proposed to ask the House to adjourn till 7.30. His reason was that an important Bill was in course of preparation.

The Hon. W. D. Stewart: An appropriation Bill? Sir Joseph Ward: Yes, an appropriation Bill, and it cannot be put before His Excellency until 5.150. He did not wish to go into details, because there was no need to make two speeches, but at 7.30 in the course of an hour's speech he thought he would be able to explain its provisions. Mr. H. B. Holland: Does the Prime Minister hope to finish business tonight?* Sir Joseph Ward replied “Yes." He said he thought his proposals would he so universally acceptable that there would be no difficulty in finishing to-night. When the House resumed at 7.30 every seat in the galleries was occupied. and there was tense interest displayed by members when Sir Joseph Ward rose to address the House. At the. conclusion of the Prime Minister’s speech the Finance Bill

j was read the first time, urgency being i claimed for the measure. The Bill I provides, in addition to several amounts ! appropriated by the Appropriation Act, 1028, for services for the financial year ending on March 31. The Minister for Finance may, without further authority, issue and apply the sums hereinafter specified: —■ (a) Out of the General Purposes account of the Public Works Fund for the purposes of railway construction j the sum of £500,000. (b) Out; of the General Purposes j account of the Public Works Fund ’ for the construction, maintenance and supervision of roads, bridges, and other public works the sum of £IOO,OOO. (e) Out of the Electric Supply account of the Public Works Fund for the development of water-power the sum of £IOO,OOO. (d) Out, of the Revenue fund of - the Main High Account for the, maintenance of main highways the sum of £50,000. (e) Out of the Construction fund of the Main Highways Account for the construction of main highways the sum of £50,000. (f) Out of the State Forests account, for the purposes of the State Forest service the sum of £25,000. Extend the annual authority to borrow money for the acquisition of lands for settlement to £1,000,000. Increase the aggregate amount that may be paid to local authorities by way of subsidy on expenditure In rclifo of unmployment to £400,000. _ Extend the duration of the existing law as to Restriction of Rent until August 1, 1020.