INDIA

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 01, Issue 9, 1 June 1900, Page 82

INDIA

The Viceroy of India's telegraphic anticipations of the Budget Statement to the Secretary for India, gives for 1899-1900, after a famine expenditure of £2,055,000 a surplus of £2,553,000, It goes yet further, and prophecies for the succeeding year a surplus of £160,000 after allowing £3,335,000 for famine relief and £746,000 increase of mili-

tary estimates. One inexperienced in the subtleties of political finance might be led to wonder why the famine item in each case should not be increased at the expense of the sm-plus. But doubtless there is a reason.

The year 1900 is to see India's native army and volunteers armed with magazine rifles, military factories greatly improved, and facilities for the manufacture there of lyddite shells. Heavy batteries are to be replaced by howitzers. The native regiments of the Punjaub and Bengal are to receive an accession of 92 officers. Besides this, a general reorganization of all batteries is provided for, and experimenting with war balloons is to be a special feature of the programme. Trade in India is flourishing. The year 1898-99 was reported as being abnormal, but 1899-1900, notwithstanding many drawbacks, promises to be more abnormal still.