1955 Budget
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
BSIP Plans Its 1955 Budget
IT is estimated that the British Solomon Islands Government will have £891,000 to spend in 1955. For the same period, revenue will be £672,267, which includes £158,250 from the Colonial Develop ment and Welfare Fund. Presum ably the deficit between revenue and expenditure will be made up by a Grant-in-Aid.
Local revenue is expected to in crease in 1955, from higher Customs duty, fees, posts and telegraphs and miscellaneous revenue and despite an expected decrease in the price received for copra. It is expected that the 1954 production of 18,000 tons of copra will not be equalled next year.
In common with other Pacific Islands governments, the BSIP is faced with a huge bill for overseas leave of staff. The cost of overseas passages for Protectorate officers go ing on leave is expected to be £lB,OOO more in 1955 than in the present year. This is said to be due partly to the improved recruitment position, partly to the high incid ence of leave in that year, and partly to rises in the cost of fares.