DOMINION OPINION.

Waikato Times, Issue 12178, 13 September 1911, Page 4

DOMINION OPINION.

Sir Jioseph Ward, the Minister of Finance, had a congenial task before him yesterday. He was able to show to the House that the revenue and surplus for, the year were records in local history, and to. place before it a Budget that was full of interest. As a document to present to the) people on the eve of the elections it would be hard to eclipse, and when the proposals contained in it are considered it will iaccur to the public th?,t it is a pity the elections are not held an-nually.—Wai-hi Telegraph.

The Financial Statement, one of the' most voluminous for some time, contains some welcome details. The finances of the Dominion are shown to be buoyant, our loan liability is subjected to an analysis the outcome of which is along the assuring lines laid do"wn by this journal for some time past, and a few concessions to taxpayers and users of the State railways are promised. . . It 'is a goiod Statement, but it might be better. It does not go far enough, in foreshadowing relief from taxation, on the necessaries of life. The very fact of the immense surplus, upon which the Prime Minister so justly prides himself, what is it after all but an acknowledgement that taxation is heavier than it need be—that more is taken from the people than is required to pay our way from year to year and leave a small margin on the safe side ?—Napier Telegraph.