CO129-511-11 Estimates- 1929 21-9-1928 - 14-11-1928 — Page 19

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as the vacant houses are cccupied an impotus is

given to building operations and land purchase

for which considerable funds scom to bc available.

This increase in population accounts largely for the increase of nearly $1,000,000 under Licences

and Internal Revenue not otherwise classified.

There is however one item which does not

show the increase which we might have expected, viz. Liquor Duties. Now regulations for the con- trol of Chinese Distilleries were introduced during the year and have had some effect in improving the returns from liquor duties but the Governmont

cannot but fool that tho Treasury still fails to

receive the full amount to which it is entitled

under the law from the oxcise on Winos and Spirits

and it may become necessary to tighten the regula- tions still more in order to prevent illicit evasion

of the duty. The honost distillor and dealer would not suffor if the way of the transgressor were mado a littlo less easy.

Expenditure for this year we have now cstimated at $21,672,500, an under expenditure on

our original estimate of $510,545, and if our

estimatos prove correct we shall finish the year

with a surplus of revenue over exponditure of

$1,001,910, instead of a deficit of $2,079,655.

This surplus added to our balance of assets at

the beginning of tho yo ar should give us a Balance

of Asscts over Liabilitics on December 31st next

of $4,987,671 without the repayment of the money

duo from the Loan Account or, with that sum added

$6,951,029 of which just over $5,000,000 may bc

rogarded as liquid.

From

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