§ Although a large reduction of men was necessary during 1887–88, the amount of work done was not practically affected by the reduction.
913§ Hitherto it has been the practice to estimate the amount of shipbuilding proposed by the amount of money devoted to that purpose, and to assume that as the amount in one of the two years under comparison was lessened so was shipbuilding curtailed. Such a comparison must necessarily be fallacious when it relates to two consecutive years, in one of which estimates were prepared under an old system, and in the other under new and more economical method. Although the aggregate amount of money proposed to be voted for labour in the Dockyards in 1888–89 is less than that voted for 1887–88, yet, by a more careful distribution of labour, the amount actually appropriated to new construction, and consequently the output of work, will be greater.
§ From the statement relating to depreciation of the Fleet, appended to the Estimates, it will be seen that the sum of £2,070,000* is required to be expended to maintain the Fleet in its present efficiency. The sum devoted to New Construction this year is, exclusive of Australasian Squadron, £2,971,000.