“A KNOCKOUT”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10141, 29 October 1925, Page 5

“A KNOCKOUT”

REBUFF FOR A CRITICAL JOURNAL. PRIME MINISTER'S RERLY. ■ SAD LAPSE AVITH FIGURES. . ' MARTON, Oct. 23. A knock-out blow to an Opposition journuFs criticism was dclivcicd by the Prime Alinister at AYanganui this afternoon. The Wanganm “Herald, in an article in its issue of October 23, 'under the heading of ‘ smashing Figures/’' had said that the increase of expenditure in the Railway .Department was greater than the increased revenue bv £332 900. As a matter of fact, the “Herald” just made a mistake of about £320,000 A Voice: Near enough for the “Herald.” Mr. Coates: It is -rather a tnt.v thev cannot make a. careful analysis of figures of the kind; The gross earnings, jn 1925, according to the newspaper,, were £7.10->,OOO and m 1924 £6,954.000 and.the working ex/ penses in 1925 were £5,636,000 and in 1924 £5,153,000. The correct nosir t.ion as certified to. by the Auditor-; Gereral shows the gross oaruings m 1925 as £7.112.000 and in 1924 £6,984.000, while the vrirking expenses in 1925 were £5,545,000 and in 1924 £5 403.000. .The increase of expenditure actually was £13.317, making the “Herald’s” ; calculation over £3OO QOO out; and; when that is 'the. c?,se"l do not think- you iiee.d; take, much • notice of their: figures.' (Applnuse.O-rSpecial.v