ECONOMY EFFECTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 131, 15 March 1933, Page 3

ECONOMY EFFECTED

THE PUBLIC SERVICE. SUM OF £968,500 ANNUALLY. (Special to the "Guardian ") WELLINGTON, March 14. The Public Service Commissioner, controlling 7500 officers, with a salary list which in March, 1932, slightly exceeded two millions sterling, is able to demonstrate in his annual report that economies effected in staffing and salaries have actually exceeded in amount those recommended by the drastic report of the National Expenditure Commission, fie consequently indulges in the nearest approach to a shout of triumph possible in official pages when he details what has. been done. Savings in salaries are enumerated as follows: First out, in 1931 ... £246,690 Second exit, in 1932 £185,710 Total £432,400 In addition to the above, there is a further estimated saving of £149,912 in respect of temporai'y employees (excluding Public Works casuals). The total annual saving due to staff economies and salary reductions in that part of the service controlled by the Commissioner, is £966,500, of which just over £500,000 has been due to cuts in salaries. Analysing the Commission'is report, the Public Service Commissioner states that the interim report proposing savings of £358,000 only .affected administrative items to the extent of £25,000. In the final report, the Commission's heaviest savings affected such policy items as reduced subsidies to hospital boards and other authorities, £310,200, and subsidies paid through the Department of Agriculture, £270,000, leaving a balance of £200,000 which could be regarded as administrative savings which were considered desirable. "Questionable Savings." "Many of the proposed sayings," comments the Commissioner, "making up this £200,000 also concern matters of policy, which are of questionable practicability. In that category would be: The closing of certain Stamps and Deeds offices (estimated saving £6000), abolition) of Trade Representatives in Australia .and Toronto (saving £7300), reduction in technical staff in Lands and Survey Department (£10,000), the closing of land offices (£4200). In the light of the Commission's reports, which can only be regarded as a distinct compliment to the efficiency of the administration of the Public Service, it is satisfactory to note that the annual savings of £384,000 referred to as having already been effected considerably exceed the amount suggested by the Commission, and it is a practical indication • that departmental controlling officers are keenly appreciative of the fact that it is only by the strict- , est regard for economy and efficiency l that the present position can be faced. Staff Replacement problem. There was a net shrinkage last year of 314 permanent officers in the departments under review, and the Commissioner is becoming concerned over the future of the service. He points out that in staffing State departments, it must be remembered that, contrary to general experience in private undertakings, the depression has in many "cases increased the volume of work, accentuated the difficulties, and ushered in new problems which the ' Government has been obliged to deal with. There has been a free exchange of officers from Departments where work is shrinking, into those which are and it has thus been possible to carry on without appointing a single cadet or filling normal vacancies. But haying regard to training of future officers the Commissioner utters the warning: "This state of affairs cannot be maintained indefinitely. There is a marginal point beyond which savings are procured at the expense of efficiency."