The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1919 THE BUDGET

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14174, 26 September 1919, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1919 THE BUDGET

The Budget brought down by Sir James Allen is a sober and businesslike document, and any attempt at sensational proposals has been carefully avoided'. The late period at which the Budget is produced, when practically half the financial year has passed, enables the Minister to estimate more closely the amount of revenue which may be expected, but in spite of indications of increased returns lie has been very conservative in his anticipations, and has confined his hopes of increase to the Customs revenue. The total figures for the Budget are somewhat staggering, for this country, with a population of 1,100,000 raised last year in taxation £22,352,372, which is curiously near the amount annually raised by Great Britain with a population of 15,000,000 at the time of her struggle with Napoleon. An analysis of the figures, however, goes far to explain the discrepancy, for in our Budget we include payment for services rendered, together with payments which are strictly taxation. Of our total expenditure over £7,000,000, which is nearly one-third of the amount, is represented by Post and Telegraphs, Railways and Miscellaneous. At the same time a little consideration will show that the increased taxation, which causes uneainess in some quarters is not really so great as it appears. Th<* Minister for Finance suffers from the altered value of money in the same manner as the humblest of his subjects, and from the revenue of £22,000,000 onegthird must be deducted beforg any fair comparison can be made with the years before the war. At that time our revenue and expenditure were about £12,000,000, and now with the third deducted they would be slightly under £15,000,000, so that even in the matter of taxation the country has not so far suffered to any serious extent. At the same time, we are entirely with the Minister in "his appeal for national economy. Our commitments are largely fixed, and it will be many years b'efore they diminish. On the contrary it is clear that we have by no means reached the total of our war liabilities, and the interest remains to be added for the large sums which are yet to be borrowed. With prices at their present figure our liabilities can be carried with comparative ease, but should, prices fall they will be found to be a serious burden. Our best hope of relief lies in an increased population, and it is precisely upon this point that we find fault with Sir James Allen. He shows by his remarks that he is alive to the importancejof immigration, but he makes no arrangements to assist ; he tells us that the Imperial Government are sending two women delegates to New Zealand to inquire about openings for women settlers, and that they will be given every assistance. Ministers would do as much for h visiting football team. Then be tells us that the Imperial Government has asked the Cabinet to what extent they can arrange for the immediate employment of soldiers of the Imperial Army, to which they replied that until their own soldiers were provided for they could offer no facilities. Considering that workmen are wanted in most industries, and that immense areas of Crown and Native lands exist, such an attitude seems both unenterprising and ungracious. We shall not really be better off by enacting the dog-in-the-manger, though that belief is held in /some quarters. The strange thing is r that the Government should apparently, have fallen victims to such a fallacy.

It is a pleasure to find that Sir James Allen has recognised the pressing need for further expenditure on Education. The salaries are to be increased during the current year to the extent of £318,000, and provision is to be made for the necessary buildings. Hitherto this expenditure has come out of Hie Public Works fund, which possibly accounts for the manner in which building has been starved. Now, however, Sir James Allen proposes to ask authority to borrow £500,000 this year, and £750,000 during each of the’ next four years. The shortage of school accommodation has been a scandal, which should now be in a fair way to be cured, although it is to be hoped that none, of these places where children arc unduly crowded, shut out altogether, are to remain in that condition for another four years. The increase in salaries is also a move in the right direction, for if the Government do not recognise the altered value of money they will' suffer in competition with businesses that are alive to the position, and will fail to seure a fair share of the talent among the rising generation. At the same time the iniquitous practice of calling on some young girl to take charge of a class of eighty or a hundred children should be stopped. The Government would be justly shocked if their attention were drawn by the Federation of Labour to any similar instance of overwork. Those who make the laws should set an example, though llic Governments of lids country more often regard themselves as entitled lo break the laws. In the matter of housing, which is a most serious problem to-day, and likely to become worse as time passes, it cannot be said that the Budget contains anything very helpful. To render financial assistance to local bodies who will undertake the work is all right, but will not go far to meet the situation. It is recognised everywhere that Government and municipal building is as likely lo hinder as to help by deterring the builder from resuming his trade, which he has, in many cases, abandoned dur-

ins the- war. If the Government would

increase the amount which the advances to Settlers Department will lend' from £SOO to £750, they would materially assist, but so long as the moratorium exists there will be hesitation in building, for new houses are commonly financed with- a second mortgage, which is valueless under the existing law. It is quite true- that there are many people who approve the moratorium in principle, as an attack upon the wicked person who lends money, but we are entitled' to expect a more enlightened attitude from the Government. There are many difficulties connected with building; both with labour and the prices of material, and our legislation is so arranged as to make a bad situation worse. Nevertheless, in spite of these complaints we return to our statement that Sir James Allen has produced a sober and busineslike Budget, and in view of the millions lying loose, and the temptations they involve, the country is indebted tohim for his achievement.