POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 55, 4 July 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

The Proposed Platform.

At the meeting on Wednesday next at Robson's Rooms, the following report by the Committee of the above Society will be presented as constituting their recommendations for the basis of the league's opera" tions :• — 1. Taxation.—That, however the mode of taxation be varied, or whatever alterations may be made in the Customs tariff, the total taxation of the colony should not fee increased, but rather decreased. 2. Loans.—That tho system of borrowing has been carried to excess, and ought to cease as soon as possible. 3. The Governor's Establishment. — The total, expenditure under this head should not exceed L 5,000 per annum. 4.. .The Legislative Council.. .— The honorarium, to members thereof should nob exceed LIOO per annum, with a reduction of LSO per annum to those living in or within ten miles of Wellington. No more nominations should take placo till the members be reduced to 30, and should not, thenceforth, exceed that number. The official expenditure connected with the Council ought to be considerably reduced. 5. House of Representatives. — The number of members should be reduced to 50 Europeans, with four representatives of natives. Tho honorarium to members shoifld'hofr'exceed Ll5O per annum, and no allowances for travelling, a reduction of LSO per annum for each member residing in or within 10 miles of Wellington. The cost of the officials of the House should bo considerably reduced. G. The Cabinet.—The paid members of the Cabinet should not exceed five. The salary of the Premier should not exceed Ll,ooo a year, and that of the other four members should not exceed LSOO a year, with the use of Ministerial residences. The travelling allowances for Ministers when travelling on public service should be one guinea per day. 7. The practice of running special trains and steamers for tho convenience of Ministers or members of the Legislature is an extravagance which ought not to be tolerated. S. Education.— The charges for the various branches under this head should be reduced by a total of LIOO,OOO a year. This may be effected by making the school age commence at seven years ; by reducing official expenditure in connection with education generally : by lessening the expenditure on universities, high schools, and on other branches connected wish this subject, t' 9.' Civil Service. — The expenditure under this wide term, including the officers of the two Houses of the Legislature, public works, mines, etc., should be reduced by the sum of L 160.000 per annum by lessening the number of officials, by decreasing in many cases the salaries now paid, by fully employing those now only partially occupied as officers of Parliament and " Hansard " staff, etc., etc. The office hours in Government departments should be made similar to those in mercantile establishments pi the colony. 10. Marine axd Native.—A redaction of Llo,ooo should be effected in these departments. The Hinemoa ought to be sold. 11. Defence.—The expenditure under this head is beyond the actual requirements of the colony, having regard to the present state of its finances, and should be considerably reduced. : 12. Contingencies.—The very large sum expended under the head of contingencies, amounting to about L 90,000 a-year, is unreasonably excessive.^ 13. The Committee would finally observe that the constant pressing demand in every electoral- district of the colony is the great cause of excessive expenditure of public money, constant borrowing, and yearly increasing taxation. Such expenditure should therefore be largely curtailed throughout the colony in. a fair and equitable manner as regards each provincial district, if the burdens now pressing so heavily on the people are not to be added to.. 14. The total amount of reduction on the estimates for the year ISB7-8S recommended in this report is about L 300,000.