COMMERCIAL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 6

COMMERCIAL

STATISTICAL REVIEW THE APRIL TREND INCREASE IN IMPORTS In Its review of the business statistics for the month of April the Abstract of Statistics states that the net bank-note circulation produced a record increase for any but a December month, the April average being nearly £1,000,000 in excess of that for March. After a seasonal fall In March, bank deposits resumed the upward movement which has been in operation for a long period, the April average being slightly more than £3,000,000 above the March figure. Conversely, after a substantial rise in the previous month, bank advances fell away in April. The level of bank debits, although well below that of March, recorded a substantial Increase as compared with April of the previous two years. For the second month in succession net overseas funds recorded a decrease, and the amount held on April 20 was lower than in any other month since April, 1942. External trading during April was marked by a new record for imports, the total value for the month (£9,789,757) being more than £2,000,000. above that for September, 1920, the previous highest month). For the first four months of the present calendar year imports exceeded exports by £6,080,847, whereas in a similar period of 1942 there was an excess of exports amounting to £11,101,784. Railway Figures Assisted, no doubt, by the transport of troops and other activities connected with the war effort, record railway figures were produced during the year 1942-43. Compared with the previous year, the number of passengers cabled advanced by 26.3 per cent., net tonmiles run by 13.5 per cent, .and total revenue by £2,191,000, or 18.3 per cent. The excess of total revenue over expenditure (excluding interest) for the year was £2,827,000, the comparative figure for 1941-42 being £1,882,000. The Public Accounts for the year 1942-43 reveal a surplus in the Consolidated Fund of £4,154,578. Receipts for the year were £42,361,009, as compared with the estimate of £38,186,000, the increase being mainly due to increased revenue fropi Income tax and from interest receipts, principally on

account of railway capital liability. The Social Security Fund revenue for the year amounted to £16,013,640, Including transfers of £3,800,000 from the Consolidated Fund, while expenditure amounted to £15.950,674. Comparative figures for 1941-42 were—revenue, £14,687,683 (transfer from Consolidated Fund, ■ £3,600,000); expenditure. £13,531,288, The receipts of the War Expenses Account for 1942-43 amounted to £147,952,641, of which £39,556,336 was produced by taxation, £78.040,506 by loans, £26,812,668 under lend-lease reciprocal aid, and £3,172,000 by way Of transfers from the Consolidated Fund. Expenditure frdm the War Expenses Account amounted to £143,938,790. MINING Blackwater Mines, Ltd.—The return for the four weeks ended June 18 is: Crushed 2968 tons, yielding 13090z of gold from all sources, the value of which, when taking gold at 168s a fine oz, was £10,996. Working expenses,' not including ordinary or war duty, were £7783 Development expenditure was £399, and capital expenditure was £2O7.—P.A. Snowy River.—The dredge return this week was 114oz for 125 hours from 35,900 yards.—P.A. Blackball Creek.—The dredge return this week was 420z in 119 hours.—PA.