THE REVENUE

Southland Times, Issue 17547, 10 January 1914, Page 6

THE REVENUE

VERY SATISFACTORY'. STATEMENT BY THE HON. J. ALLEN. (Per United Press Association). DUNEDIN, January 9. To-day a reporter was informed by the Hon. .las. Allen, Minister of Finance, that the approximate revenue the nine months ended December 31st were very satisfactory. "There has been a considerable improvement in the revenue in the last few weeks.” the Minister added. "I have no doubt now that the Customs will exceed Hie estimates for the year. The revenue in that department for nine months is already slightly higher than in the corresponding nine months in 1912. As far as I can see, there is every likelihood that the income from stamps will also exceed the estimate for the year. For the nine months ended December the income is a good deal higher than in the corresponding period in the previous year. The post and telegraph revenue has improved slightly in the last month of the quarter ended December. For the opening months of the year, the returns indicated a falling-off. but things have picked up a o-ain and now show an advance. The land tax has realised £47.000 more, and the beer duty about the same. The revenue from the railways had not, so far, come up to the estimate. Registration and other fees are higher; marine returns are about the same, and miscellaneous is £IB.OOO more. The territorial revenue shows a decrease of £52,000, but that is explainable because the present Government pays the revenue derived from land sales into the Land for Settlement account. The national endowment revenue shows an increase of about £13.000. The increase of the revenue for the nine months is about £ 132.000. not including territorial revenue from land sales. If that revenue were included, the total increase would he about £200.000. The Hon. Mr Allen said that details of expenditure had not reached him yet, hut lie expects them in the course of a few days.