N.Z. FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1926, Page 1

N.Z. FINANCE.

I FIGURES FOR PAST YEAR. ’ [BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. In the summary of tbe public accounts which wa.s gazetted to-night, the Treasury says: The finances of the country, as disclosed in the accounts gazetted for the nine months ended 31st December last, show a satisfactory position in comparison with the similar period of last year. Allowances must lie made in connection with the separation of the railways revenue and expenditure from the ordinary revenue accounts not yet finally completed. Eliminating for the purpose of comparison, tho railway revenue which is being transferred lo a separate account, the total revenue- collected for the nine months anioutned to £14,806,362. For the same period last year, the amount was £13.506.584, there being thus an increase of £1,299,814. The principal increase are:—Customs £663,942 ; Post and Telegraph £232,129; interest, on public moneys £234,693; interest on railway capital liability £350,000. The increase in interest on public moneys i.s due to payment on account of the discharged soldiers’ settlement account being made this year in two half yearly sums, instead of one payment as last year; while the interest on the railway capital liability i.s not comparable for the reasons given above. Again, eliminating the railway figures for tho purpose of forming a comparison, the total nett expenditure from the ordinary revenue account for the nine months was £16.654,884, as compared with £16,052,679 for the same period last year, an increase of £602,205. Til the permanent charges, under special acts, there is an increase of £174,671, largely duo to additions to the old age and widows’ pensions. Under the departmental expenditure, tho principal increases are: Defence, £43,011; Pensions, £52,722; Mental Hospitals, £210,616; Health. £28,431; Internal Affairs, £29,811 ; Naval Defence £32,175; Electoral, £76,698; Agriculture, £38,427; Education. £45.639. PUBLIC AVORKS. The Public AA’orks Fund Statement which, is gazetted with the Public Accounts, for the quarter ended 31st December last, shows the balance at the beginning was £201,454, which, with the total receipts from various sources, brought the total to £2,463,718. The expenditure on various works amounted to £1,259.719. The expenditure included :—Railway construction, £422,500. Additions to open lines £162,827; Roads £104,073; Telegraph Extension. £244,956; and various aids to public works' and - redemptions £272.210. The balance at the end of the quarter wa.s £931,818.

In the corresponding quarter of 1924, the receipts were £3,196,121, whereof £1,067,260, was expended on various works.