BUDGET JOTTINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1917, Page 7

BUDGET JOTTINGS.

Hie Board of Trade's operations have resmced in considerable saving of ex•pensi; to consumers.

Payments for miners' pensions totalled !SBW3. The annual liability for pensions on Marcli 31 last was £575,0Q0. From August 1915, to March 31, 1917, there were 7337 applications for war pensions, soldiers' claims totalling 4877 and dependents 2C450, the average value being £52. Besides completing 37 workers' dwellings, 28 new dwellings were built and 11 being built. The sum spent was £35,437.

Shortage of labor and increased cost of living caused a number of industrial disputes. At March 31 there were 10,143 members of the National Providence Fund, the accumulated funds amounting to .£135,000. Maternity benefits totalled £3T76 spread over 634 contributors. The half contributions of those on active service, paid by tho Government, amounted to £5749. The House is to be asked for £22,009 for Friendly Societies' maternity allowances. Tourist and health- resorts revenue in-, creased by £-2088. The Public Trustee holds a credit balance of .0413,988 in respect of the Public Building's Insurance Fund. The accumulated funds of the Stat® Fire Office total £155,958. The net premiums amounted to £82,<594.

War expenditure, with outstanding advances totalled £23,337,475. This year £24,000,000 will be required, Stores and supplies for military purposes arc estimated to cost £1,513,888. Two hundred and one thousand, two hundred and ten acres of land have been subdivided and offered to discharged men, the total area available being 337,961 acres, comprising 712 holdings. Advances to soldier-settlers amounted to £30,316 to 143 men. and secured by mortgages, i 50,140 acres were purchased for soldiers' settlement.

The world's demand for our wool, meat, dairy-produce, hides, skins, tfcttow, hemp, fruit, and other products seems certain to be more than maintained, and, provided ships are available fjor the transport of our output, increased production may be anticipated. £27,810 was spent on forestry operations, 0593 acres of land being purchased for the planting. Since the war began the Government has borrowed £10,000,000 from the Post Office.