DOMINIUM FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1917, Page 1

DOMINIUM FINANCE.

[PER PRESS 'ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, Nov. 12th

iti a statement on Dominion finances, Sir Joseph Ward said that for the seven months ended October the revenue had decreased £343,401, and the expenditure had increased £24d,16(>, compared with the corresponding period of last year. The principal decreases were in the Customs and Railways.

Sir Joseph Ward said that the position generally must he considered satisfactory. An increase in the sinking fund must.be expected necessarily till the end of the war, and provision was made for the expected decreases in revenue from Customs and Railways anti some other smaller departments. 'The volume of imports had decreased as a natural result of the high freights and shortage of shipping space, and a great deal depended on the quantity of our produce that could he got away during the next- five month's; also how we would stand on the broad basis of the country’s future loan needs. Every effort was being made to ensure thatthe balance of the produce would get away, within that period. The dependence of the country on the money therefore being available by March next, must, be self-evident.

Sir Joseph Ward added that the loan to he floated in .March next would not he put on the market till the latest possible date, so that the returns from the produce would be available for investment in the loan, which he believed would bp as successful as those already issued in t,he Dominion.