THE ESTIMATES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 223, 28 June 1940, Page 3

THE ESTIMATES.

MANY REDUCTIONS MADE SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT. WELLINGTON, June 27. The Estimates, presented with tonight’s Budget, show the marked effect which the war is having on New Zealand’s internal life. There are reductions in a number, of votes in which increases might reasonably have been expected under other circumstances, and where increases are actually recorded most of them are for small amounts in comparison with past years. Among the departmental votes, the Land and Income Tax estimate this year shows an increase of £15,000, but the Internal Affairs Department vote is reduced by £IO,OOO, owing largely to the fact that there are no centennial celebrations this year. The External Affairs Department estimate is increased on last year’s expenditure by £7700 principally the cause of the heavy cost of repairs to the Government steamer Maui Pomare.

One of the largest votes is that for the Labour Department of £2,717,722 which, however, is a reduction ol £164,000 on last year because of the decreased provision for employment promotion. The maintenance of Public Works and services vote this year is £650,000, a reduction of £440,000 on last year attributable to the charges for aerodromes and emergency landing grounds being transferred to the War Expenses Account. The Agriculture vote is increased by £675,000 this year, principally owing to the subsidy on the manufacture of fertilisers totalling £030,000. A substantial subsidy of £170,000 for coal production, resulting in the increase of the Mines Department vote of £175,500 on last year is provided for. The Health Department estimate this year, £1,503,410, is a reduction on last year of £15,500 ,and the Education vote of £4,630,000 is an increase of £158,000 owing principally to increases in teachers’ salaries. The Social Security vote shows that the transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Social Security Fund has been increased from £1,000,000 last year to £3,200,000 this year. The Social Security Fluid vote this year includes hospital benefits £1,237,000, an increase of £462,800 on last year, and maternity benefits £430,000, an increase of £167,000 on last year. The working Railways estimate of £8,633,909 is £500,000 more than last year, which will mostly he absorbed in the maintenance of rolling stock. The Post Office vote totals £41,025,462, an increase of £237,000. Four new accounts appear on this year’s estimates. They are Meat Industry Account £39,223, Sundry Products Account £22,130. Wool Industry Account £32,538, and Fruit Industry Account £12,108. The National Broadcasting Service vote is increased this year toy £42,000, and the Commercial Broadcasting Account by £17,000.