THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2658, 13 November 1909, Page 3

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

THE PREMIER’S REPLY TO MR MASSEY.

I Per Press Askoci \tion. I CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 12. Sir Jc.seph Ward, interviewed regarding Mr. Massey’s criticisms of the Budget, and especially the statement of Mr. Massey that the Budget proposals disclose a state of things calculated to make sane, sober-minded people wonder how this wild-cat policy would end, said it was to be regretted that Mr. Massey does not finish his observations and give facts instead of a generalisation. The principal increases of expenditure proposed in the Budget were naval defence and internal defence, and, for the first time in the history of the Dominion, provision was being made for defence in the direction which the country generally desires to adopt. The logical deduction from Mr. Massey’s observations was that either the proposed strengthening of the Dominion’s defence must be abandoned, or defence dispensed with altogether, but if it is believed to he necessary to place defence on a proper’ basis, it cannot be done without paying something for it. If Mr. Massey can show how the increased expenditure for these purposes can be provided without furnishing ways and means In enable them to he effected, then he will perform a great service, not to the Prime Minister, but to the country at la roc. <SUr Joseph added: “I invite him to do go on suitable and practical, lines, and not by. resorting to mere defamatory generalisations. ” As to the proposal that the principal .source of taxation should be from an increase in the death duties, Sii Joseph said that, even had there been j;n proposed increased expenditure, the proposed alteration in death duties should be effected, as an examination of the present law disclosed to his mind an absolutely rotten and indefensible system which operated unfairly in its incidence, being in favor of. the wealthier classes.