ECONOMY REQUIRED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 6

ECONOMY REQUIRED

INSTRUCTION TO PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS INCREASE 9F EXPENDITURE TO BE CHECKED The Prime Minister stated in the south on Monday that he would have something to say very soon about economies in the Public Service. He mentioned that there was in existence, a committee of the heads of Departments to assist him in effecting economies wherever such a course ivas possible. All the public Departments have been directed lately to keep down their expenditure. Spine of the big increases, caused by advancing wages and salaries and the high_• cost of supplies, have been unavoidable, (but other increases have been due to?the growth of staffs, and; the attention* of heads of Departments has been drawn to this point. Another move in the direction of economy is the issue of an instruction to certain Departments to prepare balance-sheets, such as would be required of a commercial undertaking. The Departments have been reducing staffs to some extent, by dispensing with the services of temporary clerks. An important item in the increase of Departmental expenditure in Wellington has been the hire of buildings and offices. The amount of accommodation used by the Departments has increased very much since 1914, and many high rentals are being paid. There have been rumours lately that drastic economies may be ordered by the Government. No definite move of this nature has teen made, but economy in the Public Service is known to have been receiving tho attention of the Minister of Finance and the Departmental heads.