Defence, Education Estimates Increased

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 3

Defence, Education Estimates Increased

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, June 25.

In spite of big increases in the vote for education, defence and social security benefits, estimated Government expenditure this year from the Consolidated Account is £9.5m lower than the amount spent last year. The figure for 1964-65 is £436,788,290.

There is an increase of £18.2m in the Works and Trading Account, which includes electricity, railways, housing and mines, and an increase of £3.3m in accounts outside the Public Account such as the Post Office, State Advances and Public Trustee’s accounts.

The defence vote has been increased by £7.3m to £36.4m. The Air Force allocation is £14.3m, the Army’s £ 12.3 m, and the Navy’s £9.5m. Last year, Air Force, Army and Navy expenditure was £10.2 m, £ll.lm and £7.6m respectively. New Lockheed aircraft for the Air Force will cost £3.7m and £l.sm has been provided for a third frigate for the Navy. The Army stores vote including armaments, is increased by £450,000 to £2.3m.

Social services, which include education, special benefits, and pensions will cost £245.4m—£27.9m less than last

year, when there was £35.8m contributed from the Consolidated Fund to the Social Security Fund. This is not provided this year. Major increases In the £6om education vote are £l.3m for primary schools and £l.lm for senior technical training. Health, social security and hospital services and pensions are expected to cost £161.3m. The vote for general administration, which includes the Government Printing Office, Internal Affairs, Island Territories, State Services Commission, etc., is £l2.7m—almost £lm more than last year. Other items are:— Notional Railway.—The subsidy for the Nelson notional railway is estimated at £170,000. Last year because traffic exceeded esti-

mates, £166,381 was spent £125,000 having been voted. New Glasses.—Repairing an employee’s spectacles accounted for £6 of the £32,646 administration expenses of the Audit Department.

Bazaar Donation.—The Department of External Affairs gave £ll to the annual bazaar of the Daughters of the British Empire. Beetle Project.—The rhinoceros beetle project in Western Samoa has been allocated £15,000. Rewards.—The Police Department paid £471 in rewards for detection of dangerous drugs, gaming, slygrogging and smuggling offences last year Senior Service?—Entertainment expenses for the Air Force and Army are £l5O and £3OO respectively. The Navy gets £lOOO.

New Chairs.—Most of £15,000 in the Health Department vote will be spent on 100 new dental chairs for child health clinics.

Drugs.—The sum of £B.lm is set aside for pharmaceutical benefits. Last year, £7.9m was spent.

Oysters.—The Marine Department will raise expenditure on oyster cultivation from £940 to £6OOO to cover an intensified programme of rock oyster cultivation. Natural Gas.—A new item in the Mines Department estimates is £ll,OOO for a consultant to the Government on the use of natural gas. Crime.—The Police Department overspent its travel allowance by £6620 last year because of “exceptional travel in major crime investigations.” Westport Harbour.— For the first stage of major harbour works improvement at Westport £135,000 is estimated. Last year £65,000 was voted for harbour improvements, only £6919 spent. Free Stamps.—Members of Parliament were given £5OOO worth of postage stamps for their own use last year. Launches, —The Marine Department will increase its expenditure on fisheries launches from £13,148 to £32,000, including cost of renovating and maintaining research vessel Ikatere. Police Vehicles.—The Police Department will spend £BO,OOO on new vehicles this year. It spent £52,337 last year. Fish Research.—The Marine Department’s spending on marine fisheries research will be doubled to £35,000 to cover boat charter for sea fisheries, oyster and whaling research, and the purchase of a laboratory and other equipment for research. War Pensions.—The Social Security-Department will pay £5OOO in pensions for veterans of the South African War, £3,250,000 for World War I veterans, and £3,525,000 for World War II veterans. Ministers’ Travel.—Ministerial expenses, including travelling allowances last year cost £73,125 and this year, an additional £7OOO has been granted.