THE AMENDED FINANCIAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 126, 7 October 1868, Page 3

THE AMENDED FINANCIAL

STATEMENT. This Day, 10.10 a.m. In the House of Representatives last night, Mr Hall said the financial scheme must be modified, because it was not practicable to give effect to it this session ; and for a second and more serious reason, because the Maori contest has assumed, and threatens to assume, proportions requiring a larger provision than was originally anticipated. The division of the consolidated revenue would be continued during this financial year, as at present ; entailing, inclusive of supplementary estimates, a deficiency of £17,000 or £18,000. To meet this by additional taxation was out of the question. While the Customs and other revenue departments v ere apportioned locally, the telegraph was charged only on the colony. Ho proposed to meet the deficiency by apportioning the telegraph on the provinces enjoying its revenue. This would meet the deficiency, and be essentially fair as between one part of the Colony and another. Some provision must be made for provinces unable to maintain gaols, police, etc. Southland's share of the consolidated revenue was inadequate to pay interest on its loans and the Assembly votes charged provincially. The deficit was £13,500, and the province must therefore otherwise collapse. It was proposed to capitalise the sinking fund, thus leaving, the whole territorial revenue to pay police, &c. Marlborough would only have a balance of £240 7s 7d out of its share of the consolidated revenue, but expected territorial revenue sufficient to carry on if advances were made to February, when large land sales would recoup them. Taranaki would also have only £30 balance. There was no alternative in her case but to ask the House to allow advances to be made for police, gaols, &c, absolutely necessary for the protection of life and property. The unencumbered extraordinary receipts anticipated were — balances from loan, £33,500, and £13,500 reduced balance of Southland receipts. Thus £47,000 was all that was available of extraordinary income. To meet the defence expenditure, the sum of £81,000 would be required, instead of £48,000, as it was proposed to increase the constabulary to five hundred and pay five instead of four shillings per day ; and as instead of raising special corps on emergencies, it was proposed to increase the constabulary to one thousand, if necessary (weeding out from the whole force when an emergency was over). A contingent vote of £90,000 was also required. It did not follow that it would be spent. Last year the Government had a contingent vote out of loan of £45,000, and they spent only £5000. The total addition required wastherefore £33,000, and £50,000 loan, or £83,000 in all. This would be provided for by the balance of £47,000 from extraordinary income, and £36,000 by Treasury Bills. He believed there was a formidable difficulty on the West Coast. Its gravity had increased during the session. The description applied to it at the commencement was not now applicable. Dark clouds were hanging over other parts of the colony. While the Government watched them anxiously, hoping they would disperse, they must be prepared should they burst. They trusted a bold front would help materially in settling the disturbance. Discussion ensued, and supply was afterwards gone on with. .A proposal to grant only nine months' supplies was negatived by 30 to 11.