BUDGET POINTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1918, Page 8

BUDGET POINTS.

THE YEAR'S OPERATIONS.

PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE.

Wellington, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward summarised the most important items relating to the financial operations of tlie Treasury tlhus:

War loan moneys raised in the Dominion, as at September 30, had reached a total of approximately £39,250,004! since the war began; approximate cost one-half of 1 per cent. Investments in London increased t0£17,869,912, £17,869,912, as at September 30, 1918. Ordinary revenue reserve increased to £9,570,350, as nt March 31, 1918, Redemptions and renewals effected amounting to £3,301,750.

£1,930,950 converted into long-dated securities.

*> T et surplus of year's revenue. £5,085,934.

Total accumulated surplus on March 31, 1.918, £11,560,788. Total lodgments to Public Account, year 1917-18, £06,500,000, as compared with £17,000,000 for the year 1913-14. Total disbursements from Public Ac-, count, £65,000,000 for 1917-18, as compared with £17,100,000 for file year 1913-14.

Customs revenue, £434,308 above estimate. Public works expenditure reduced to £1,141,172.

Income-tas receipts increased by £1,357,435.

Land-tax receipts increased by £072, 590.

Stamp revenue increased by £192,979. Excess of Post Office Savings Bank deposits over withdrawals, £2,645,300.

Eighteen settlements purchased for discharged soldiers, making a total area of 394,219 acres thrown open and available for settlement. £190,911 authorised for soldier settlers by way of financial assistance, 17,117 war pensions granted to March 31, 1918, representing an annual value of £1,122,052. Total payments to producers for supplies purchased on behalf of the Imperial Government, £59,21.1,190. War expenditure to September 3D, 1918, £51,400,000.

PROPOSALS. Establishment of Post Office Savings Bank reserve fund. Authority to borrow additional £200,000 for afforestation purposes. £150,000 to be provided for Government hydro-electric schemes. Local bodies to be empowered to develop water-power Increased war bonus ar.d payments to Government employees. £300,000 to be provided for school buildings, eta £1,500,000 for vrar pensions. Authority to raise additional £10,000,000 for war purposes. Public works loan, £2,500,000. Loan for ooldic-rs land settlement, £1,000.000A'shtanca to soldier's, £300,000. Educations.!, curative, and vocational training to be provided for.

Provision to be made to meet expenditure necessitated by influenza epidemic.