1.—15

The details of expenditure on eradication of noxious weeds, as shown in the previous table, are worthy of notice. Although in 1938—39, fifty-three counties were active in the destruction of noxious weeds, at the present time only forty counties are so operating. Doubtless the reduction is due to causes connected with the war, but the whole question is of serious moment as to the future of agriculture in New Zealand. The fact that several years have elapsed in some cases since any serious attempt was made to cope with the menace is of national concern, as is also the fact that many counties have never accepted their responsibilities. The fact that expenditure has fallen from £74,665 in 1937-38 to £24,050 in 194-3-44 is a further indication of the falling off in the activity in this direction. The next table shows an analysis of total county payments out of both revenue and capital receipts. Here again the increase in burden of hospital levies relative to total payments by counties is fairly evident. _ Over the period, too, the administration costs of counties have increased at a greater rate than in boroughs where the increase was relatively small.

Analysis of Total Payments of County Councils out of both Revenue and Capital Receipts from 1924-25 to 1943-44

(/) Indebtedness and Annual Loan Charges The following table sliows the amount of net indebtedness of County Councils on account of loans over the period under review :— Table showing the Amount of Net Indebtedness of County Councils on account of Loans from 1924-25 to 1943-44 £ £ 1924-25 .. .. 5,045,929 1934-35 .. .. 6,054,100 !qoa~O7 " " 5 ' 763 ' 136 1935-36 .. .. 6,096,060 1926-27 .. .. 6,283,824 1936-37 .. .. 5,994,950 1927-28 .. .. 6,394,256 1937-38 .. .. 5,924 446 1 928-29 .. .. 6,443,453 1938-39 .. .. 5,944 095 " " 6 ' 515)266 1939-40 .. .. 5,981,543 1930-31 .. .. 6,513,887 1940-41 .. .. 5,916,021 " " 6 ' 445 ' 793 1941-42 .. .. 5,814,652 6,293,250 1942-43 .. .. 5,551,836 1933-34 .. .. 6,147,048 1943-44 .. .. 5,688,187 , , The i h i rd cleca(^e of this century was a period of very heavy borrowing by local authorities, and during the fourth decade, particularly during and subsequent to the depression, there has been little additional borrowing. Especially is this the case in regard to counties where the Main Highways Board has taken over the responsibility for many of the main, highways, and hence relieved the counties of the necessity for major expenditure m this direction. During the period loans have been paid off, and at the present time the net indebtedness on account of loans is less than in 1924-25. This trend might not necessarily con mue, as it is possible that in the years immediately following the war some major constructional and maintenance works will be necessary, involving further loans. It is also interesting to notice that the policy of raising loans within New Zealand is reducing the real burden of these loans to the community as a whole 4

* Includes amounts paid to sinking funds and for repayments of loan-moneys, f Includes approximately £22,856 expenditure on Emergency Precautions Scheme. J See page 139.

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o_, .X • Sfl d o o i2 to £ z> « Ocd Th +2 4) •_£ g *Jj l-l Cl & § Financial Year. § g J og '1 oi I, |> Si "3 O I 4>0 L £f> [g „<« £ S "r" 3 w *rtif £ " Ph g§ 'S<5 I £1 1® i s - Jo 8J | |S 1(5 I -2 s B 5 | £ S £ £ ££££££ £ 1924-25 .. 2,344,973 298,320 256,219 303,290 .. .. 96,367* 3,299,169 1925-26 .. 2,724,562 311,793 262,165 331,006 .. .. 116,483* 3 746 009 1926-27 .. 2,983,748 316,707 284,072 377,770 .. .. 106,974* 4069271 1927-28 .. 2,712,758 331,009 275,392 407,761 .. .. 197,260* 3'924'l80 1928-29 .. 2,737,522 348,483 289,234 406,118 .. .. '208,528* 3 989 885 1929-30 .. 3,095,307 351,781 312,698 404,175 144,443 .. 104,684 4-'413'o88 1930-31 .. 3,003,778 342,693 298,624 418,868 131,568 .. 102,4-96 4,298,027 1931-32 .. 2,603,042 274,878 275,341 416,064 149,730 .. 90,950 3,810,005 1932-33 .. 2,625,690 272,941 270,356 406,449 145,855 268 86,084 3,807 643 1933-34 .. 2,568,000 285,063 260,680 360,078 146,472 174 70,847 3 691314 1934-35 .. 2,843,624 289,614 261,220 339,605 141,864 76 77,186 3!953'189 1935-36 .. 3,264,428 301,678 292,267 329,222 139,575 19 131,935 4,459 124 ]936-37 .. 3,164,868 348,995 296,121 314,879 157,303 450 81,148 4,363,764 •• 3 ' 067 ' 175 404,657 314,903 306,131 180,587 461 82,436 4,356,350 1938-39 .. 3,815,769 458,909 347,262 308,341 193,782 239 67,076 5,191,378 1939-40 .. 3,705,038 530,086 348,039 302,752 218,318 .. 71,118 5 175 351 1940-41 .. 3,099,689 464,658 349,558 304,195 241,490 .. 79,761 4 539 351 1941-42 .. 2,670,048 515,433 350,758 292,289 256,588 30 122,148 4'207!294 " 2 ' 063 ' 289 607,401 328,515 281,121 362,152 .. 156,184+ 3,698,662 1943-44 .. 2,171,766 581,161 327,849 271,744 270,413 .. 236,426 3,859,359