Papuan Revenue.

THE Papuan Treasury return for the six months ended on December 31 showed a revenue for the period of £59,263, as compared with £58,575 for the corresponding period of 1931, and an increase of £688. The principal increase was “Appropriation of former years” £4610. Revenue from Government planta tions increased by £1179, as compared with the first 6 months of 1932. Many de partments recorded decreases the out standing one being Customs and Excise receipts, which fell by £2599.

Expenditure for the period under re view was £60,546, or £1787 more than the first half of the year. The Treasury Department was responsible for £5759 of this, and was probably caused by pay ments to the Commonwealth for interest and redemption of loans being made earlier than in 1931-32. The principal decrease is in the Government Secre tary’s Department whose figures fell by £2654, mainly in the magisterial branch.

After commencing the year with a credit on revenue account of £1719, the Treasury finished the half year with a credit of £437 only; but in a better position than at December 31, 1931, when the credit balance was only £102.