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prepared to spend large sums in order to put an end to a situation which has long caused inconvenience to the Colony
contending that the price which we were called upon to pay under the Oakley award was higher than was reasonable but being willing to pay even boom prices rather than forego the opportunity of effecting a long-deferred improvement.
In present circumstances, however, we cannot afford to sacrifice money for which we have so many other urgent uses and I have been obliged to inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that it is impossible for us to
take any further steps in the matter.
May 1, in conclusion, say a few words to forestall · an obvious criticism? It may reasonably be asked is it not possible, considering that many of the works which have been excised from the programme are of great value and importance to the Colony, to take the alternative course of providing additional funds so as to enable them to be carried out.
I have given this question much anxious thought and I have formed a decided opinion that for the present at any rate the right course is to reduce expenditure rather
than to increase income.
Admittedly the inhabitants of this Colony are
as lightly taxed as the members of any community in the world and in normal times I should have had no hesitation in advising that, if our revenues, on the present basis, were insufficient to provide for the carrying out of the large programme of public improvements which we have in contemplation, further funds should be provided either by an increase in taxation or by the issue of a loan or by a combination of both methods.
As things are however, I am of opinion that any increase in taxation should be avoided. Most classes of
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