THE COUNTRY'S SURPLUS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXII, Issue 59, 7 May 1924, Page 6

THE COUNTRY'S SURPLUS

LABOR MEMBERS’’ REQUEST.

REPLY TO THE PREMIER.

Per Press Association

Christchurch, May V

The Canterbury Labor members, replying to Mr Massey's comment on their letter say: The rcienuo for the first ten months was. well ahead of last year and the expenditure' lower. If this was 'maintained during the last two months the surplus would be in the regi ;u or three millions, as alieged. We are anxious to see if ther« was some extraordinary expenditure in the last (wo months and whether capital sxcenditure, such as repayment o? /ohns other than Treasury hills, has been met out of revenue. Up to 11)11 ilie Government Statistician ascii o publish figures, showei; the actual amount entered in the Treas , ry books. Since 1923. uowever, tne practice has been to withhold the figures for January, February and March until the surplus is dec a red. It is thi g recent innovation which we complain about. We are interested to learn from you wV.i the law compels the publication of the figures, but we still see no reaso.* why the facts, which were avaiiatee in past years, should now be withheld until the law compels publication.