STATE DEPARTMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 47, 23 August 1930, Page 8

STATE DEPARTMENTS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The Hon. Downie Stewart is reported to have suggested that the Government sot iv a Commission, whose members shall be drawn from the business organisations, to ascertain whether the cost of departmental administration has been reduced to a minimum. In 1922, and on several occasions since then, we have strongly urged that »he Government should have an investigation of our State Departments made by practical business men, to see if they cannot be I reorganised on business lines, how waste ' can be eliminated,. and how the general administration, can be improved. The late Sir Charles Skerrett, who as Mi-. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., was president of the Welfare League, addressed Beveral meetings on this subject. He said "percentage reductions of salaries of Civil servants are clumsy, unintelligent and create a sense of injustice. What is required in my opinion is a thorough investigation of the whole Public Service on business lines —I emphasise the words on business lines. It should be insisted that every Department should be rim on the sound lines of a private business organisation, regard should be had to efficiency and economy, and the accounts of departments should be kept on the accepted line of business accountancy." We could, Sir, if space permitted, state several instances of absurd unbusinesslike methods in the conduct of some of the departments, which in the aggregate cost the taxpayer a considerable sum, a cost quite easily avoided if proper business methods were adopted. It is in this direction _ that economies can be made for the relief of the taxpayer. Since 1922 we believe there has been some reform in the system of accountancy in certain of the State activities, but we are convinced that the cost of an inquiry by a Commission of business men such as wo have repeatedly advocated, would be a trifle in comparison to the great savings which could be effected if its recommendations were adopted. , The Hon. W. H. Downie Stewart's suggestion does not go far enough, for. the country does not only desire to be sure that departmental expenditure has really been reduced, but also to be assured that the departmental methods are on the sound business lines which, alone make for economy and efficiency.—We are, etc. N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE.