CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940 — Page 121

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for any substantial deficit in the uncertain circumstances

which lie before us; but the Government have very definitely

refrained from economising at the expense either of soc1

services or of measures of economic development. Your

xcellency has made clear that there is no intention to

curtail those services in order to provide funds for the

new calls which the war must make upon our resources.

I venture indeed to say that, large as the

expenditure must appear, all of it is eather essential or

extremely desirable in order to maintain the public services

of this Colony and to enable the Government to discharge its

obligations to the community. Honourable members will gznā

that much of the increase in recurrent charges is directly

due to our increased population, e... the increases in the

Folice and Sanitary Dentments. The programme of Public

orks Extraordinary includes many items of a capital mitme

which are essential to carry on the economic development

of the Colony. Evidence of the intention to continue tile

development of social ces is given by the provision

for the commencement of a new Queen's College, a new

Infectious Diseases Hospital and new health Centres, as well

as a new Volunteer Headr uarters. The actual amounts

s

expected to be spent on any of those buildings next year

are small but their inclusion will give approval for

proceeding definitely with plans for them and concluding

a contract for the work.

Nonetheless, we mist not be wholly unprepared

for financial difficulties and the programe of

public works extraordinary and also the many