BRITISH REVENUE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 318, 3 October 1908, Page 5

BRITISH REVENUE.

GREAT DECREASE. FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER QUARTER. (BT TELBGttirS—rBESS ASSOCIATION—COPTRIGHT.) London, October 1. The revenue of tho United Kingdom for the quarter ended September 30 is, £29,300,007. The leading items are:— Customs £6,815,000 Exclss ■ ... £8,240,000 Stamps ... i £1,830,000 HALF-YEARLY TOTALS COMPARED. : The revenue of the United Kingdom for the quarter ended June 30 was <£30,312,813, which, Added to the September quarter revenue given dbove (,£29.300,007) makes the total revenue for the first half-year of 1008 .£59,612,620. Tho total.,fevenue for the first half-year of 1907-08 was 264,031,302, so tho year 1008-09 shows on its first half a falling off in revenue of .£4,418,682. Tho revenue figures for tho two half-years, along with leading items, and decreases, aro as under:— - "' 1807-08. 1908-09. Decrease A prill to April Ito in Sept. 30. Sept.'3o. 1908-09. Customs ... 16,147,000 14,033,000 2,114,000 Eicisd ... 1G,130,000 15,510,000 620,000 Stamps ... 3,990,000 3,680,000 310,000 Revenue ... 64,031,302 59,612,620 4,418,682 Tho cost of tho new 01d_Age j Pensions scheme, which is " only a beginning," is variously estimated at six to eight millions. The above table shows that more than half that ambunt has already been lost to ' the revenue in the first half of the current year. Meanwhile olaims for Old Age Pensions are flowing in. No Wonder the Chancellor of the Exchequer is alarmed. In addition to itoms of revenue given above, It may bo stated that, botween April 1 and August 8, estato and death duties, etc., decreased by .£l,o6l,Sit, as obmpared with the corresponding period last year, and property •and incomo, tax deoreased by .£253,000.