THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12457, 5 February 1909, Page 3

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

FURTHER TAXATION!. (Special to "The Colonist." Christchurch, Feb. 4. Replying to the toast of bis health at the banquet- tendered to bim at Hacmer on Tuesday evening, Mr A. W. Rutherford, ex-M. V. for Hurunui, referring to general politics, said that he had a few days after the eleotion written to the Premier expressing his pleasure that tbe Opposition had gone back strength ened. If be had known that so many were going to be elected, be was not so sure that he would have retired. As to the last House, he had stated to the Premier that it had no life or "go" in it, and the Premier had replied very nicely indeed, showing that a little candid criticism waa not objected to by the Government. Mr Rutherford dealt afc some : length with the financial aspect of affairs. He pointed out that while a neavy loss was being made annually on the railways, the Government was still paying half a million annually in wages to cooperative workers, who were en-gdged-on construction work, which would only add to the annual loss. A large number of expensive buildings: were beiDg ereoted for the purpose'; of -finding employment for tbe artisans in the. towns, not to meet the requirements of the Department. The new post office in Wellington was an instance of thisj -the old building,: even though ifc was said to be too small, was not fully occupied by the Department. In addition to this the Premier had a building programme in connection, with fche new Parliamentary Buildings. The Government had also incurred heavy liabilities in connection with tbe various superannuation schemes, and there we're still further liabilities proposed in connection with the annuities scheme. The guarantee to the State Insurance Department against claims fer miner's complaint could hardly be called good business. He was satisfied that in a few years taxation must be greatly increased to meet these liabilities. The policy was a popular policy, but it couid not go oh indefinitely. Until the colony bad touched the bedrock pf hard times it would not realise the financial saturnalia in which it had been indulging. He did not wish to croak, but he was confident that the day of reckoning would come. The : Cabinet bad to deal with the most critical time in the history of the country, and he hoped that they would prove themselves equal to the task.