DOMINION'S FINANCES

Evening Star, Issue 18627, 7 May 1924, Page 6

DOMINION'S FINANCES

LABOR’S REPLY TO MR MASSEY.

[Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 7. Tho Canterbury Labor members, replying to Mr Massey’s comments on their letter, say:— Tho revenue the first ten months was well ahead of last year, and the_ expenditure lower. If this was maintained during tho last two months tho surplus would be in the region of £3,000,000, as alleged. Wo are anxious to see if there was some extraordinary expenditure in the last two months, and whether capital expenditure, such as the repayment of loans other than Treasury bills, has been met out of revenue. Up to 1921 the Government Statistician used to publish month by month Consolidated Fund figures showing tho actual amount entered in tho Treasury books. Since 1922, however, the practice has boon to withhold tho figures for January, February, and March until the surplus is declared. It is this recent innovation which wo complain about. Wo aro interested to loam from you when, tho law compels publication of the figures; but we still see no reason why the facts which wero available in the nan ye-ivs should now bo withheld until the law ganoids their