Belt-Tightening
p. 92 · Read in the full issue
In Samoa
Belt-tightening was ex pected in Western Samoa as a result of the Legislative Assembly’s April budget session.
Though revenue in the year just ended constituted a record, the credit balance and revenue expected in the current year will fall well short of expenditure requirements for the first time for many years.
Heavy capital expenditure and increasing demands for higher Government salaries are the main items. The solution may be to raise an internal loan and issue debentures under a guarantee from the Samoan and New Zealand Governments to utilise the fairly large amount of private capital lying idle and available for sound investment.
In any case, drastic cuts in ex penditure seem unavoidable, and a large section of the community feels that expenditure on salaries for seconded Government officials from New Zealand is one item that could be reduced. Any claim for further increases in salaries at this time, following substantial increases in 1954. would seem to be un warranted as the cost of living has
not increased to any extent in the last year.
Among urgent building projects which will call for substantial funds are additional wharf sheds at Apia, and probable replacement of or ex tensive repairs to the wharf used by the coastal fleet.
• Hoping to revive the popular j war bowling tournaments, the S Bowling Club is sending invitati; to Associations and clubs in I Zealand, Australia and Hawaii a tournament to be held from vember 12 to 19.