CO129-324 - Governor Nathan - 1904 [10-12] — Page 75

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enquiry, which must necessarily occupy some considerable time,

a reduction was found necessary I should propose to obtain

your authority to make good the deficiency in the Revenue by

raising a loan to meet the expenditure on Water Works, while

raising the Assessed Taxes sufficiently to cover interest and

Sinking Fund on the loan.

It is in my opinion impossible, as I have

already indicated, to curtail the expenditure on Public Works

Extraordinary to any appreciable degree even were it desirable

to do so and I trust that my decision to proceed with the

Appropriation Bill as it stood will in the circumstances meet

with your approval.

I shall inform you of what decision I

arrive at on the application of the Opium Farmer and shall

submit proposals, if any, which may become necessary in con-

sequence at the earliest possible date.

15.

On the second reading of the Bill on the

29th. September the Honourable Mr. Shewan made a speech which criticised the action of various Departments of the Govern- ment in the past but only incidentally dealt with future

policy. He did not oppose the Bill, no amendments to it were moved in Committee, and the third reading was passed unanimous-

ly on the 6th. October.

16.

I desire to draw your attention to the

great care with which the Estimates have been framed and

their