The Money They'll Spend

The South Pacific Commission’s regular budget for 1975-76 gives it a total income of $2,000,578 —all of which will be spent. The income is made up of $1,841,950 contributed by the nine participating govern ments, plus a special grant of $50,000 from Nauru, some other grants, $B,OOO from reserves, and $7,000 from the sale of publications.

During the new year the SPC plans to spend $362,000 of its income on administrative services, and $1,638,000 on the works programme and services. The works programme expenditure includes $582,000 on programme direction, $169,000 on health, $259,000 on social work, $235,000 on economic matters, $107,000 on the publications bureau, $99,000 on general expenditure, $90,000 on the next South Pacific Con ference, and it will have $95,000 in a reserve fund, mainly to deal with expected inflationary costs.

Here is the money that each government has given towards the general budget: Australia (30% of the contributions) $552,586; Fiji (1%) $18,419; France (14%) $257,874; Nauru (1%) $18,419; New Zealand (16%) $294,712; Papua New Guinea (1%) $18,419; United Kingdom (16%) $294,712; United States (20%) $368,390; Western Samoa (1%) $18,419.

In addition, the following territories and countries, who are not participating governments in the commission, have given these amounts, all in Australian currency: American Samoa $1,968; Cook Islands $2,875; French Polynesia $1,000; Gilbert Islands $1,723; Guam $5,512; New Caledonia $2,000; New Hebrides $2,300; Niue $1,254; Solomon Islands $1,900; Tokelau Islands $779; Tonga $1,000; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands $1,968; Tuvalu $1,000; Wallis and Futuna $165.

On top of this income, the SPC also has a special projects budget, funded by voluntary contributions. For 1976 the income for this will be $551,875, comprising $250,000 each from Australia and New Zealand, $50,000 from France and $1,875 from Nauru. Of this total, health pro jects will get $191,000, social $68,000, economics $199,000, and general projects $43,000.