8.-2

VII

calling the attention of the Committee to this apparent increase, because the Government are anxious that a watchful eye should he kept upon any proposals for increased expenditure, which should not be permitted unless shown to be absolutely required in the interests of good government; for it is certain that, unless we exercise great care in this matter, the return of prosperity will again lead us to extravagant expenditure. I must here, Sir, point out the fact, which I hope honorable members will bear in mind, that in this estimate of expenditure I have only provided the sum of £40,000 for hospitals and charitable aid —the amount voted last year. Upon this important question I shall speak more fully presently. ESTIMATED BEVENUE TOE THE TEAR 1882-83. I will now ask the Committee, Mr. Hamlin, to turn its attention to the consideration of the revenue for the year 1882-83. I anticipate, if taxation is to remain unaltered, with the property-tax at one halfpenny in the pound, that we shall receive a total ordinary revenue of £3,393,500, exclusive of land sales. I have thought it prudent to estimate only moderate increases on the several items of revenue, full particulars of which, compared with the actual receipts of last year, will be found in Table No. 7a attached to this Statement. It is possible that the revenue may exceed my estimate; but, considering all the circumstances of the colony, I think it better not to speculate upon increases which although possible may never arise. I estimate the revenue then at £3,393,500. To this must be added the balance of £203,683 which stood to our credit on the 31st March, and we then get the sum of £3,597,183 as the total amount available for the services of the year. Now, if from this we take £3,478,639, the estimated expenditure to which I have already referred, there will remain a balance of £118,544 at the end of the current financial year. So far, Sir, all has been plain-sailing. We have had to deal only with facts, and with estimated results which approach to something like a certainty; but we are brought face to face with a problem by no means easy of solution. How can this surplus be dealt with to the greatest advantage to the community ? What relief, if any, can be given to the taxpayers of the colony ? But, before these questions can be answered satisfactorily, it will be necessary for me to revert to the question of hospitals and charitable aid as I promised to do. The total public and known private expenditure upon hospitals and in charity last year was, in round numbers, £88,000; and for practical purposes we may assume that an equal amount Avill be required this year. This sum was made up by contribution from the Consolidated Fund, £29,000; stoppages from subsidies from local bodies, £37,000; contributions from local boards and from the public, £22,000. The present system, or want of system I ought rather to say, of providing the necessary funds is irritating and unfair to most, if not all, parties concerned in the charitable administration of the colony; and it is, I think, clear that the time has come when this important subject will have to be dealt Avith upon some comprehensive principle. It may be taken for granted that the indigent and the sick-poor must be fed and clothed and properly looked after by the community should private charity fail to make proper provision; and that private charity will fail to make a sufficient provision I fear is only too evident. The State, then, as the State, will have to undertake this business in some form. This being so, it would seem that there are practically only three courses open for us to follow : the indigent and the sick-poor will have to be maintained by a poor-rate, supplemented by private benevolence; or by large grants from the Consolidated Fund, supplemented by private benevolence; or by a system of national assurance. It may be impossible to deal with this large question during the present session; but, as there is a great and I believe a very general repugnance to a poor-rate, in which I strongly sympathize, and as grants from the consolidated revenue are, to say the least, very undesirable, I propose to submit a scheme of national assurance for the consideration of the House, which I believe to be thoroughly practicable, within the means of our people, and which would make necessary provision for the sick, the widow and orphan, and the aged. It is possible that my enthusiasm has carried me too far upon this subject—has made me too hopeful. But I have given the question much thought, and am convinced that the scheme which I shall

Table No. 7.