THE YEAR'S FINANCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8804, 4 May 1907, Page 3

THE YEAR'S FINANCE.

(Per Press Association > I'litAßtr, May 3. The Hon. Hall-Joneg had a cordial reception at the Theatre Royal to-night. His address dwelt.at some length on the fiiiance of the year and the results of the year's ordinary revenue accounts were shown. Receipts, Revenue ... .£8,899,075 Sinking Fund accretions ... GG.OOO Other receipts 13,881 .£8,478,956 Expenditure. Permanent charges .£3,038,120 Annual appropriations ... 4,736,806 Excess of receipts over expenditure 701,030 •£8,478,956 Balance of last year's'surplus

je785,795 13,795 Leaves excess 31st March last .£717,825 Railway revenue last year showed an increase over previous year of .£282,978. Passengers carried showed a largo increase, and the increase in wages to railway employees since 1895 was given to .£375,000.

The Minister, in dealing with Customs, referred to remissions of £2,509.957 since 1895. Postal rates and telegraph had been reduced by £275,000 and railway fares and freights i'750,000.

The expenditure on old age pensions last year was £313,820. Dealing with land the Minister said the Saving to the people by the Advances' to Settlers Office through fixing a reasonable rate of interest ran into millions of pounds. The Public Works Fund had received £2,410,378 and expended £2,050,978, and ihey had £415,800 balance to start the year with. The Minister made feeling reference to losses by death to Parliament and public service. In speaking of his term as Premier, he contended that the course lie had taken was the only honourable course that could be taken. Ho made reference to the Conference now sitting lit Home and referred at length to the prosperity the colony is enjoying.?! Speaking on the Land Bill, he generally favoured the leasehold system and laid stress upon the three principal points of tho Hill—endowments, limitation of area, and concessions. He referred to the Legislative Council appointments as very satisfactory. Regarding the proposal to harness water power, he would not favor undertaking the work unless Government raised special moneys and profits were in sight in two years. I A vote of thanks and continued confidence in Government and the Hon. i Hall-Jones was passed. |