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for any substantial deficit in the uncertain circumstances
which lie before us; but the Government have very definitely
refrained from economising at the expense either of soc1
services or of measures of economic development. Your
xcellency has made clear that there is no intention to
curtail those services in order to provide funds for the
new calls which the war must make upon our resources.
I venture indeed to say that, large as the
expenditure must appear, all of it is eather essential or
extremely desirable in order to maintain the public services
of this Colony and to enable the Government to discharge its
obligations to the community. Honourable members will gznā
that much of the increase in recurrent charges is directly
due to our increased population, e... the increases in the
Folice and Sanitary Dentments. The programme of Public
orks Extraordinary includes many items of a capital mitme
which are essential to carry on the economic development
of the Colony. Evidence of the intention to continue tile
development of social ces is given by the provision
for the commencement of a new Queen's College, a new
Infectious Diseases Hospital and new health Centres, as well
as a new Volunteer Headr uarters. The actual amounts
s
expected to be spent on any of those buildings next year
are small but their inclusion will give approval for
proceeding definitely with plans for them and concluding
a contract for the work.
Nonetheless, we mist not be wholly unprepared
for financial difficulties and the programe of
public works extraordinary and also the many