MR MASSEY’S BUDGET

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160723, 9 August 1920, Page 11

MR MASSEY’S BUDGET

CRITICISED BY THE HON. MacDONALD. SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 9. The Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald, in an interview, said that the Financial Statement puts forward no comprehensive scheme for grappling with the heavy load of debt we have to carry or for raising revenue on a scale corresponding with our needs. It shows no breadth of outlook ox foresight in. regard to future contingencies. The weakest feature is Mr Massey’s proposal to refer such questions as the land md income tax, death duties and tariff to a special committee. What Parliament aid country were most anxious to hear from Mr Massey was what new sources of revenue he meant to draw upon, and how he proposed to adjust the burden of additional taxation so clearly necessary? He has simply refused to face the question of taxation, but has sheltered himself behind this committee. He has, in fact, fold Parliament and the people that in regard to what must be by far tire most imoortant feature of the Government’s financial policy he would rather not take the risk of striking out a lino for himself, but would prefer to throw the responsibility oa other people. Is this the course that we have a right to expect from a Prime Mniister or the Government with any claim to be considered practical, or resourceful, or statesmanlike?