S.M.C. Treasurer Summarizes Pruning Effected After Submission of First Figures for 1940
Shanghai, Mar. 16.
IHE following communique sets out for the information ' of S.M.C, ratepayers the summary made by the Treasurer for} the Finance Committee of the various reductions which were effected in departmental estimates after the submission of preli-minery estimates, Ratepayers who criticize the Council for extravagance in expenditure are asked to do two things: (1) To recollect that had the exchange value of the dollar not fallen below 8d, municipal income would have balanced municipal expenditure; (2) To ask themselves what reductions in expenditure they would seriously recommend the Council to make. Constructive suggestions dealing with the present are welcome.
The duty of the Council which the ratepayers elect is to carry out efllciently and economically those funetions which are essential for the preservation of public security, public order and public health, In regard to amenities, as opposed to neces sities, It is for ratepayers to decide what' amenities they want and what amenities they wish to pay for. has already been pointed out ino previous statement, almost every Single item of the Council's expendi> ture has been affected by the fall in the valtte of the dollar; it is not only a matter of salaries.
The dired effect on the municipal budget of the rising cost of living is rikingly exemplified by the fact that, although as the result of strenuous effort economics totalling over 2 million dollars were effected Between the submission of the prellminery estimates and the final submission of those estimates to the mance Committee, the rising cost of Toodstufls has very recently neces~ Sitated a further provision in the estimates of over 15 lakhs. To meet the cost of feeding prisoners, an ex: pense borne in other eountties "not by munieipatities but by the State, it thas been necessary to provide a fur~ ther sum of 6 lakhs, and there has och issued to the lower-pald members of the Chinese staff a rice allow tance the estimated annual cost of Which is 9 lakhs.
Jamounted to $15,915270, an increase of $4,008.15 or" 33.61 per cent. as compared with 1939.
With regard to receipts the con tribution receivable from the Shang-that District Court towards the cost of seconded Council personnel adequate at the present time and steps are being taken in an endeavour to adjust the matter.
Likewise, a revision in the charges for consular prisoners is under consideration, 'The cost of maintaining the Jail approximates $2,800,000. It has been necessary to add a further sum of $600,000 to the Gaol appropriation in respect to the increased east of food for prisoners. 'The appropriation for prisoners' food now approximates the hhuye sum of $1,548,000 or an increase of roughly §1,166,000 on the 1939 appropriation of $382,000.
The estimates of the Police Force: as revised amount to $16,402,900, This figure represents an increase of $4, 490,700 oF 37.70 per cent. as compared with 1999,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.