THE BUDGET.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14698, 1 September 1915, Page 7

THE BUDGET.

MR. WILFORD OPENS THE DEBATE. (Per United Press Association.) ■WELLINGTON', August 31. To-night, Mr T. M. Wilford opened the debate on the Financial Statement, lie said it was one of the most momentous Budgets ever presented to the House, and' ha thought the Government would welcome any constructive criticism that might be offered. Referring to national registration, ho said it was right that the country should know its human resources, and also its industrial resources; the register seemed to be practically a national “Who’s Who.” It was the adoption of this system that had made Germany the powerful foe she now was. He wished the registration to extend to women. Many women are now wanting to have their services utilised in various departments, and desired the Government to include them in the national “stock-tak-ing.” Criticising the proposals outlined in the Budget, Mr Wilford argued that, all tariff proposals between various parts of the Empire should be abolished, a 1 any rate, for the. period of war. Producers must be encouraged in all directions, but care must be taken that largo profits were not made by individuals. He favoured heavier taxation of banks, trading concerns, and shipping companies. Merchant firms who had made profits cur. of the war should pay increased taxation, also those who had participated in war contracts. He affirmed that there should be no bargaining in these matters, as the war killed all question of balance between supply and demand. “Business as usual” was a damnable doctrine in war time, and men who asked for it were unpatriotic and disloyal. It was a shameful thing. We could' count on our hands the number of men who had declined to make profits from the war. State taxation must be remediable, and be looked to the National Government to do their utmost to be up and doing in fixing taxation on the right shoulders. War was made the excuse for wringing from the pockets of the people sunuj of money which would not otherwise be paid. He deprecated the increase in the ccst of food supplies. They had to deal with extraordinary circumstances, and he hoped the Governmentin their taxation scheme would get away from little things. If they had men like Messrs Percy McHardy, A. 0. Whatman and Guy Williams they would not need to enact extra taxation. Those who had contributed, voluntarily, four times the amount of taxation demanded under the Budget, should not be asked to pay more. It was for the National Government to see that men who had made war profits should be compelled to play the game. Without the supremacy of the Navy these profits would not have been possible. He wished the National Government well, but his motto, was: “My country, right or wrong;” not, “My Government, right or wrong."