ITEMS IN ESTIMATES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21156, 4 July 1940, Page 11

ITEMS IN ESTIMATES

WAR BRINGS CURTAILMENTS ONEKAKA WORK SUSPENDED The effect of war both in the necessity for economy and in the restriction on the supply of materials is seen in various items in this year’s Estimates. In the Iron and Steel Industry Account, in addition to the curtailment of survey and other preliminary work, no provision is made this year for land purchases, wharf construction, preparation of works site, hostel accommodation or consultants’ services. Over £190,000 was voted for these purposes last year, but only £4OOO was spent, and a note states that on account of war conditions it is impossible to obtain the necessary plant lor development and construction, so that this part of the programme is suspended until conditions improve. A.R.P. In London The Internal Affairs Department includes an item of £503 in last year’s expenditure for air raid precautions at the High Commissioner’s Office in London, and a further £l6O is provided for this year. A vote of £SO is included under another head for the transfer of the family of the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner at Brussels to London owing to the international situation. In the Health Department vote is an item of £7300 for sera, including provision for additional supplies on account of the war, while the Broadcasting Account includes £3300 for the broadcasting unit with the Expeditionary Force. In the Prime Minister’s Department there is an item of £4 paid to messengers as overtime on the occasion of the outbreak of war. Social Security Ammunition An unexplained entry occurs under the Social Security Fund expenditure last year, where £1 3s 9d is included in contingencies for purchase of a supply of ammunition. An increase is provided this year in the amount, described as recoverable, for assisting stranded New Zealanders to return to the Dominion. Last year £6OO was voted, but only £445 was expended. This year £BOO is provided. Last year £2lO was voted for the administration of the Ross Sea Dependency, but only £1 was spent. This year the ownership of the area is estimated to cost taxpayers £lO.