RUNNING A NATION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 103, 3 May 1919, Page 11

RUNNING A NATION

BRITAIN'S BILL FOR PEACE YEAR,

Tho Civil Service Estimates for 1919-20 will startle many people who imagine that in tho "peace year" the swollen expenses of war administration will begin to show a substantial decline, says the Sunday Chronicle. ■

So far from this being the- case, the figures for many of 'the departments compared with last year's grants show a very substantial increase, although it is impossible to make a complete comparison with 1918-19' because only "token" votes have been passed in some cases.

Tho estimates reach tho ronm-kable total of £495,000,000, not .including the Ministry of Munitions, which is still a token vote.

When the requirements of the Army and Navy aro added, Britain's "peaco bill" will attain very formidable dimensions.

The Supplementary Estimates for tho Navy and Army to 31st March, 1919, are £17,001,100 and £160,001,110 respectively. The nation's daily expenditure is still nearly soven millions, notwithstanding the fact that two-fifths of tho Army have been demobilised and that tho hugo munitions output, which in 1915-16 cost £600,----000,000, is shut off.

Departments aro still piling up expenses. The total net estimate is £495,634,834. Of this the sum required on account is £210,310,000, which includes tho Post Office, tho Civil, tho demobilisation; and tho resettlement department changes.

In tho £210,310,000 required on account for the Civil Service and Revenue Departments tho details show £5,280,422 for stationery and printing-, £31,353,111 fortho Board of Education, £8,250,000. for Road Improvement Fund, £17,892,000 forold-age pensions. £72,355,000 for Ministry of Pensions, £30,873,593 for Civil Demobilisation Department (Ministry of Labour), £50,----000*000 for tho bread subsidy, and £60,----000,000 for railway agreements. In the whole of tho Civil Servico estimates almost tho only item that shows a reduction is secret service.

To-day's army estimates o£ gross charges for tho year .ending 31st March, 1920, amounts to £440,000,000, as compared with £963,500,000 last year, whon tho actual expenditure was £803,000,000. Tho next estimate is £287,000,000, and tho voto on account will bo £125,000,000, which represents provision for four'or fivo months' expenditure.