BUDGET BALANCED

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3190, 6 August 1936, Page 5

BUDGET BALANCED

INCOME-TAX ADJUSTED ALL PENSIONS INCREASED (By Telegraph— Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Budget for 1936-37 is balanced at £31,067,000, allowing for a surplus of £13,000. The statement which was brought down in the House of Representatives last evening by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, announces alterations in the scale of income-tax, estimated to produce a total increase in the yield.

Reintroduction of the graduated land tax is provided for. The vote proposed for pensions is £5,480,000, an increase of £1,710,000 over last year’s expenditure. A general lifting of rates is announced. Several types of pensions or allowances are intended to be restored and pension schemes are to be instituted for deserted wives with children, and invalids. A national health and superannuation scheme is foreshadowed. The Public Works programme covers a wide range, including railway construction, buildings, and land development, and under the Government’s proposals a total of £10,450,000, including maintenance of highways, will be required for the year.

The defence estimates provide for an expenditure of £1,264,530, or an increase of £250,160 over the sum expended last year. The most notable increase is in respect to naval defence.

An allocation of £320,000, augmented by a substantial provision from the Consolidated Fund for works not considered suitable for the expenditure of loan money only, has been provided for drainage, irrigation, flood prevention and reclamation.

Substantial provision will also be made for general land development and the settlement of unemployed workers on the land.

The estimated amount available for the Unemployment Fund, £4,616,711, including the balance of £406,711 brought forward, is expected to be sufficient to meet the estimated expenditure for works, sustenance and other charges on the land.

He .said that the Rotorua Rugby representatives could visit- Cambridge for the Jubilee match but in view of the expense it was thought it might be more / desirable to invite Hamilton, who could probably visit. If Hamilton cannot accept, it was decided that Cambridge North could play Cambridge South. It was decided that the tug-o’-war be between Maori and Pakeha. It was said that, as several momentos were already on sale, the publicity committee did not think is desirable to arrange for a celluloid badge to be sold. Mr S. N. Ziman said that the school sports committee had decided to present each child with a celludoid badge. He added that seventy-two ribbons for prizes would also be required.

Mr Ziman reported briefly on the activities of the children’s sports committee.

Mr H. Tairi said that the Maoris were preparing a haka, and the canoe for the procession was almost complete.

sHe suggested that the Maoris could demonstrate cooking in a hingi, or native kitchen, to show the public how the Maoris cooked iiftv years ago. Permission to occupy the corner of Victoria Square was granted. There would be no expense to the committee. As Maori mats could not be procured from Rotorua, Mr Tajri had made mats himself. Poster Parade Mr Wooldridge reported upon the arrangements for the baby show. He suggested that each baby taking part should be awarded some momento. Judges had been secured from Hamilton..

The poster parade was also outlined by Mr Wooldridge. Mr James suggested that all people patronising the function should be entitled to a free vote.

The arrangement of the poster parade was left to Messrs Wooldridge and James and the organising secretary, with power to act. The Mayor suggested that a short silent film should be included on the talkie programme to provide a contrast.

• Mr Ray reported that sufficient funds had been donated for the Mayoral chain which would shortly be completed.

Mr James suggested a “Mystery Man” competition, as organised during Shopping Week in 1928. It was decided that the businessmen might organise such a competition. The secretary was instructed to open a banking account at the Bank of New Zealand.