Samoan Budget Drastically Cut

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31206, 2 November 1966, Page 3

Samoan Budget Drastically Cut

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) APIA, November 1. Some drastic pruning with hopeful overtones mark Western Samoa’s Budget for next year presented this morning by the Minister of Finance (Mr Betham).

Mr Betham said the original departmental estimates called for over three times the available reserves.

By holding expenditure to that needed to maintain the present level of public services, he has been able to budget for a deficit of £32,000, holding reserves at about £200,000 and allowing an expenditure of £2,737,000. He noted that since 1962 the per capita return from export income has fallen from £24 to £l6 per head.

“The gap between population growth and national income is widening to such an extent that unless additional capital investment funds can be found quickly to accelerate the development of our resources and to broaden the economic base with at least another two major industries, it will be a losing battle,” he said.

Export income this year is estimated at £9Bo,ooo—about half a million down on last year through hurricane damage crops. With increased planting the outlook for 1967 is very much better.

Caravan Warrants Those who intended to use their caravans or trailers during the Christmas holidays should renew warrants of fitness in the next few weeks, rather than wait for the December rush, the chief vehicle inspector of the Transport Department (Mr N. G. Bell) said yesterday. The acting-superintendent of the Christchurch City Council traffic department (Mr H. W. Birdling) suggested that motorists use the Cranford street testing station, where delays were less likely. In addition to normal hours the Cranford street station is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and the Lichfield street station is open until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Demonstration. Between 150 and 200 young Falangists, throwing stones and bottles, broke windows at the British Consulate in a demonstration over Gibraltar in Barcelona last night.—Barcelona, October 30.