HOW THE MONEY GOES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 229, 25 September 1915, Page 18

HOW THE MONEY GOES.

OFFICIAL BLCNDERLNG. Mr. Arnold White, ln the conrse of a strongly-worded article in the London "Dally Express," writes: Mr Pease's pension of £1200 a year la a rclle of times that will never recur, bat Mr. Pease's pension Is a small matter compared with the Inveterate nnd reckless extravagance, which la draining, the life blood of the country. The conditions under which half a dozen firms of contractors are carrying on War OUli-c work when "taken over" lock, slock. and barrel by the Government, will show that a veritable premium on extravnganre was arranged by Government when It adopted the principle of an agreed percentage on "turnover." Contractors thus protectedbavc no Interest ln economy. Prodigious salaries are paid: ten men ore employed to do six men's work. Niggling and nagging at Mr. Tense's pension Is not worthy, but millions of money that have been, and are being, wasted are Irrecoverable. One case reported to mc this week la that of a man working as foreman ln a gang who is earning 16/ a day. while nnotber man under him, also a foreman. Is drawing one guinea a day. No one grudges adequate pay to steam drifters' skippers, but tho payment ougbt to bear somo relation to the salaries paid la the Eoyal Nnrvy aud ln tho merchant service. At 0110 small port which Is the baso of many drifters, a retired master mariner was put lii command of one of them, lie Is drawing s guinea a day, and if he had been offered three pounds a week he would havsjiuinpcsl at It. The profligate arrangement between tho railways and the State has deprived them of any Incentive to energetic and efficient service for the general public. The suspenslon of cheap tickets mny be necessary on certain lines and during certain periods, but it Is base and cruel to fine the seamen and soldiers and their friends and families and to charge exorbitant fares, not because It Is neccsxary. but beesuse business ability l« larking In the bureaucracy. Money is stinted where money should be spent, and money lj squandered where money Is not "anted.