THE COLONIAL REVENUE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2060, 30 September 1880, Page 3

THE COLONIAL REVENUE.

[By Tbxbgbaph.]

[fboh orn» own oobbbspondbnt.] WELLINGTON, September 29. I telegraphed recently that the Government were having returns prepared with a view df ascertaining the present position of the colonial revenues, and whether they were improving or not as compared with last quarter. These returns are now completed, and I hear that the result is highly satisfactory, showing that the Customs already have actually realised £24,000 above the estimate for so much of the financial year. Moreover, searching enquiries show that the improvement bears every sign of being permanent in its nature, and not merely a temporary " spurt." There is good season to expect still further improvement as the reason progresses, and those best qualified to judge anticipate a very satisfactory surplus in the Customs at the end of the current year. Stamps which were hehind last quarter have rapidly pulled up and now are ahead of the estimate for a proportionate period. All the other revenues, with one exception, have picked up surprisingly, and in every case have reached the estimate, and in most cases have gone beyond it. Ths one exception is the railway revenue, and even this is so far satisfactory that the deficiency is very much less than at one time there seemed reason to fear it would be. At the beginning of this quarter there appeared a grave prooabilit.y ot the railway returns bsicg some £200,000 behind, but now there has been such a brisk recoverythat it is calculated that the total proceeds for the year will not be under the mark by more than £35,000, if so much, while this will be more than compensated by the extensive savings and reductions now being carried out. Thtse reductions are now being pushed on in every department in tho most sweeping manner, and notice has been given to a large number of officers to take effect from the Ist prox. It is not thought desirable to make public the names of officers to be dispensed with until such notices shall have roached the persons affected, but I have reason to know that re duetions are under consideration or in contemplation of far mors wide spread nature than has hitherto been expected and deemed practicable. Ministers appear to feel keenly the odium and unpopularity necessarily attaching to this painful duty, but they seem resolved to carry it out at all risks, deeming it absolutely necessary for the salvation of the colony.