PRUSSIA'S DEFICIT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 10 January 1908, Page 4

PRUSSIA'S DEFICIT.

BAD RAILWAY RETURNS

INCREASED EXPENDITURE

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received Jan. 10, 8.35 a.m.)

BERLIN, Jan. 9

Owing to bad railway returns and other causes, the deficit in the Prussian Budget for 1907 amounts to 2£ millions sterling. The estimated expenditure for 1908 shows an increase of eighty millions sterling. Part will be met by a loan, and part by an increase in the income tax and the opening of fresh collieries. [The Berlin correspondent of The Times, referring to the opening of the Prussian Diet on November 26th, •says:—"The Royal message draws attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the Prussian finances, and prepares the House for a deficit in the estimates as a result of a considerable increase in the expenditure on the State railways.. These requirements will have to be met by the issue of a loan, as the railway reserve fund has already been drawn upon. This announcement has caused general surprise, since it was assumed that the cost of extensions and improvements could be covered by the current revenues of the railways in conjunction with the reserve. The speech further announces that the ordinary estimates will be charged with an additional sum of over £5,000,000 a year for the purpose of granting increased pay and allowances to State officials, schoolmasters, and clergymen. Although the Government for the moment reserves' its specification of the means by which this increase of expenditure is to be covered, it is generally inferred that a renewed increase in the income-tax is contemplated."]

; CABLE NEWS.

[BY ELECTRIC TMJSGRAPH. —COPYBIGHTJI