THE PUBLIC DEBT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 144, 16 June 1909, Page 5

THE PUBLIC DEBT.

NEARLY SEVENTY-ONE MILLIONS.

LAST YEAR'S INCREASE

[press association.] WELLINGTON, June 15. In th© House of Representatives today, Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to a question by Mr Herdman as to the amount of the public debt,, stated that at the end of the financial year it stood at £70,938,534. # At the end o fthe previous year it stood at £66,453,897, or an increase during the year of £4,484,637. The increase was' made up as follows: Aid to public works (1907) £191,800; aid to public works (1908) £1,200,000;. Hutt railway and road improvements (1905-07) £69,300; Government Railway? Act (1908) £145,000; Wellington and Manawatu Railway Act £1,000,----000; Post and Telegraph (1908) £20,----000; Land for Settlement Act £211,----495, local bodies' loans (1908) £250,----0 Government advances to settlers (1908) £1,048,800; Government advances to workers £123,500; New Zealand Consols Act (1894) £124; increases by conversion £6928; for redemptions £7590; total increase £4,----484,637. The statement was ordered to be printed, and laid upon the table.