["State Steamers", The West Australian, Wednesday 17 December 1913, page 7]
STATE STEAMERS.
THE FINANCIAL POSITION.
TOTAL LOSS £19,395 7s. 11d.
INTERESTING DEPARTMENTAL REPORT.
A report and balance sheet relating to the State steamships was presented to the Legislative Council yesterday by the Colonial Secretary. In submitting the document, the Minister said that it had not yet been passed by the Auditor-General, but it had been examined by his officers. It showed the financial position of the concern up to June 30 last, and though it was scarcely the correct thing, as he could not produce the Auditor-General's certificate, it would afford the information which he had promised to supply to members at an early date.
The report, which has been compiled by the Departmental accountant, states that the result of the transaction of the steamship service shows a loss on trading of £9,646 3s. 5d. to which must be added interest, $3,718 11s. 5d., and depreciation and replacement, £6,030 13s. 1d., making a total loss of £19,395 7s. 11d. "In making these statements," the accountant proceeds, "every conceivable charge against the service has been included, and in certain cases the year's transactions have borne costs which might reasonably have been spread over the working of future years...
...
The loss of £19,395 7s. 11d. can therefore be stated at a figure which will stand the criticism of the most ardent pessimist.
...
