2 MARCH 1929, Page 3

On Monday the Civil Estimates, the Estimates for the Revenue

Departments and the Army Estimates were issued. The Navy and Air Estimates are not yet complete. The total amount of the Civil and Revenue Department Estimates in last year's Budget was 1292,894,868 ; in the forthcoming Budget the total amount will be £808,568,759. At first sight the increase of considerably more than £15,000,000 looks alarming, but it is almost entirely accounted for by the necessary expenditure under the future Local Government Act. Even when allowance has been made for this, there will be a slight increase in- the " expenditure as compared with last year. We, had- been promised a reduction, and we expected a reduction. The increase is not serious, but it is very disappointing.