POINTS FROM ESTIMATES

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 3

POINTS FROM ESTIMATES

DEFENCE VOTES INCREASED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July. 24. The principal increases shown in the Estimates are under the defence headings. The naval defence votes show increases to provide for the payment and maintenance of the 435 officers and crew of the second cruiser Diomede and the R.F.A. Vucula, which has a crew of forty-seven. The latter is an oilcarrier, and all warships in New Zealand waters will in future burn oil, for which a vote of £36,000 is taken. £8,500 is voted for the purchase of a trawler for use in the instruction of naval ratings and reservists.

The cost of the training and maintenance of Territorials and Cadets during the year involves £402,699. Owing to war stocks becoming exhausted, £26,000 is needed for new clothing. Aviation expenditure is estimated at £19,400, _ comprising two Bristol fighters’ engines and engine and aircraft spares, £10,772; six Avro training machines, aircraft spares, and tools, £11,160; total, £21,996. But £19,400 only is expected to come to charge during the current financial year. This being election year, the Electoral Department’s vote is £97,119, including £70,000 for the General Election and £12,000 for, the licensing poll. A new item in the Department of Agriculture’s Estimates is £42,000 for agricultural education. The Department of Agriculture boars tho cost of the concession of free railway carriage for the lime it requires. There is a vote of £26,500 for export fruit guarantee. This involved a payment of £7,975 last season. £I,OOO is provided for a dairy laboratory at Taranaki. Land and income tax vote includes £2O paid to an informer whoso information led to tho recovery of income tax.

A further £2,000 for compassionate payments arising from the Ongaruo railway disaster is included in the Railway Department’s votes; also £4,000 for the expenses of members of the Railway Department travelling abroad on official business.

£145,000 is the contribution to the Railway Superannuation Fund. The Post Office spent £47,000 last year in the purchase of motor cars and bicycles. This year’s vote is £15,000, which provides for purchases on account of other departments. £52,640 is voted to the Post and Telegraph Superannuation Fund. £20,000 is voted for tho restoration of roads and bridges damaged by floods. The Cook Islands Department lias £6,500 voted for tho recomliti ming of tho steamer Hincmoa and £10,500 fo* the running expenses of the Niue Island service.

The Department of Industries and Commerce spent £69,000 on the British Empire Exhibition, and has a further vote of £20,000, part of which is recoverable.

£15,000 is allocated for the expenses of all departments exhibiting at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. There is a separate vote of £25,000 as a subsidy to the Exhibition, an addition to the £25.000 paid. The Internal Affairs publicity vote amounts to £9,000. Last year’s ex-, penditure was £9,800. £1,780 is voted to the New Zealand Institute for research work.

The Health Department has a £2,800 vote for medical research, including' £2,000 for investigation of infantile paralysis.