In Samoa

Balancing The Budget

Administration Expects Small Surplus for 1933-36

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, July 23.

THE estimates for the financial year from April 1, 1935, to March 31, 1936. have just been issued by the Administration. Estimates of revenue and expenditure show considerable increases, both in receipts and expenditure. Last year’s expected deficit of £4,246 was, in spite of low produce prices, turned into a surplus of £2,303. For 1935-36 receipts are estimated at £84,150 against £71,520, while expenditure is estimated at £83,834 against £75,766. The Administration expects a small surplus of £316.

The increased estimated revenue includes postal and radio (due mainly to increased revenue from sales of stamps, etc.), public works (increased electric current sale and electric installations), and treasury, cus toms, etc. The latter department shows an increased estimate of £12,570, due to ex pected increases in copra export duty, im port duty and various rates and taxes. The health department anticipates a decrease of £1,250 for sales of stores.

Estimated expenditure shows increases in the following departments: Adminis trator and Government House (£600), health (£1595 —mainly under the headings “salaries of staff” and “instruments, drugs and stores”), and public works (£7,105).

The latter increase is voted mainly under the headings: maintenance of buildings and roads, stores for allocation, new bridges, roads and sea walls.

The estimates seem to be conservative.

Already four months of the financial year have passed and it seems that the results so far have exceeded expectations. There is a large copra crop, and planters expect a good cacao crop towards the end of the year, while banana exports will improve again in October, when the Union Co.’s vessels from Vancouver resume calling at Apia.