The Federal Budget.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11644, 23 August 1905, Page 5

The Federal Budget.

Press Association.— Telegraph .—Copyright.

Received August 22, 5.20 p.m. MELBOURNE , August 22. The Treasurer delivered the Federal this afternoon. The revenue was .£11,460,000, Customs and Excise yielded ,£190,000 above the estimate, and the Post Office ,£70,000 more, the total .revenue exceeding the estimate by .£72,000. Stimulants and narcotics yielded £4,281,000. The actual expenditure amounted to £4,318,000, being £114,000 below the estimate. He estimated the revenue for the current year at £11,387^000, and the" expenditure -at £4,606,000. The cost of federation last year as Is 6sd per head, and the estimate for next year is Is s£d. The revenue returned to the. States amounted to £7,141,000, and is estimated to return £6,783,000. Received August 23, 12.57 a.m.

MELBOURNE, August 22. In delivering 1 the Budget, the Treasurer announced that it was intended to extend the sugar bonus for another five years from the end of the present term on the existing conditions. The excise also will be extended. With, regard to the Braddon clause, . unless some arrangement can be made for a fixed amount to be returned, there is no help but to continue the booking system till the end of the Braddon. section. As to tho States' proposal to borrow only through the Federal Government, it will lead to interminable trouble. The estimated naval and military expenditure is .£824,000, including £200,000 as a full year's contribution. The Navy and Defence Forces generally are engaging the serious attention of the Government. A very much larger ' amount is required to place the forces in a thoroughly efficient condition. The Government is fully alive to the position. It is proposed to spend .£40,000 in new drill halls and rifle ranges by the end of next year. The land forces will be placed -on a complete war footing. It is added that when Australia was willing to pay she will be given a voice in the •Imperial defence affairs. •