SCULLING

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 5

SCULLING

— SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald”). WELLINGTON, July 27. The financial statement to be presented by Mr Massey to-night will contain no sensations, but will indicate bow the Treasurer has had to strike to keep taxation within present limit in the face of heavy increasing responsibilities. Mr Massey has been able to do so only because last years taxation produced a surplus of £2,300,000. While it is intended to make railways and post and telegraph Departments produce more re* venue to meet their extra obligations in salaries, higher cost of materials, etc., Mr Massey is unable to detail alterations in the railway fares and freights as the. tariff revisions are incomplete, hut the extent of the rise may be gauged from the Budget announcement. The Railways and Post and Telegraph Departments are expected to produce one million extra revenue by increased charges. This will be more than absorbed by the increases in salaries, bul the Finance Minister will provide some hope for future reduction in this obligation by stating that legislation -will bo introduced under which tho cost of living increments of the whole public service will be subject to revision in accordance with the cost of living statistics. As tho increases involve the whole public service, the total cost exceeds two millions. Though' the sum total of taxation will not be enlarged, the Budget will shov) an intention to revise the incidence of land tax and death duties later on a higher scale, while alterations in land tax demonstrate the intention to remove anomalies and aim at the larger estates. There is to be a Loan Bill for about eight millions, mainly intended for soldier settlement. The rate of interest has to increased to the extent of a half per cent., and the Finance Minister' anticipates no difficulty iu raising this sum in New Zealand on these terms, despite higher rates elsewhere. Income tax with super tax, also Customs duties, are maintained, but the Budget indicates the intention to refer’ these and other taxation matters to a special select committee of the House under Mr Downie Stewart’s chairmanship, with instructions to thoroughly investigate incidence of taxation with view to recommending more equitable adjustment. The Defence Vqte, I understand, shows no reduction, but the Budget announces the intention to ask the Defence Committee to co-operate with the Minister and Departmental heads in reorganisation of the Department. The future Territorial policy has not yet been completed, nor is tbe Government ready with the final draft of its naval policy. Probably it is awaiting the arrival of Lord Jellicoe. However, the Budget makes an important announcement indicating the departure from the former Imperial subsidy system, the £250,000 being appropriated for naval defence. Tho Finance Minister reaffirms his intention to vigorously encourage immigration as an essential part of publio works development, but details of the public works policy is reserved for the works statement. The Education Yotc has grown to three millions including £2,250,000 for salaries, administration and maintenance of schools, and £750,000 for new buildings and renewals of old schools. The Budget stresses the point that much leeway has to be overtaken regarding buildings, but the prohibitive increase in building costs has created great difficulties for the Minister in carrying out the progressive policy he initiated on taking office. The proposed expenditure on schoolbuildings and renewals must be maintained for four or five years before the arrears are cleared off. The Budget indicates a fairly large increase. Teachers have been more liberally dealt with in relation to increases during the war period than other branches of tho public service. The School Committee grants, which of late years have been raised from £50,000 to £BO,OOO, are to be again raised to a moderate extent. Tbe Budget fails to indicate the proposed salary of the new DirectorGeneral of Education, but suggests the importance of making liberal provision to attract the best available educationist either from New Zealand ot abroad. Important developments of the publio health policy are to be announced, a special feature being the extension of the backblocks’ nursing system, the erection of nurses’ dwellings, with two or three extra rooms for emergency wards where cases in the backblocks can be temporarily treated pending removal to the main hospital. Twenty backblocks’ nurses are at work, hut the number will be largely extended, especially in tbe sawmilling districts and centres of public works construction. More nurses with maternitp certificates are to be engaged under thiA scheme. It is intended to establish a special service of nurses in Maori settlements, as an alternative to the subsidy of part-time doctors.

ARNST CHALLENGES PADDON. Received July 27, 10.25 a.m. SYDNEY, July 27. Amst has lodged a deposit and cnallenge with Paddon to race for the Australian championship. 1