REDUCING THE ESTIMATES

Evening Star, Issue 7652, 30 June 1888, Page 3

REDUCING THE ESTIMATES

THE ECONOMY COMMITTEE’S DEMANDS. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter,J WELLINGTON, June 29. The Premier has informed the Retrenchment Committee that he cannot promise to reduce the expenditure during the recess by anything like LIOO,OOO. A meeting of the Committee was held this morning with a view to determine what course they should adopt in connection with the consideration of the Estimates, that being put down ns the first Order for the day. After some consideration had been given to the matter the following resolution was passed; “That the Government be requested to undertake during the recess a further systematic reduction of the Estimates to the extent of LIOO.OOO at least.’’ The chairman was authorised to send a copy of the resolution to the Premier, and to ask him to appoint a time before the Estimates came on for consideration to meet a deputation to consider the resolution thus submitted. The Premier at once placed himself in communication with Mr Goldie, and arranged to meet a deputation at 5.30. At the hour appointed Messrs Cadtnan, Fitchett, Goldie, Guinness, Hobbs, Lawry, Monk, Peacock, Smith, Taylor, R. Thompson, and E. Withy waited upon him in the Cabinet room. Mr Goldie said that no doubt the Premier was aware that there was a very strong desire on the part of the country to obtain to the very utmost all the retrenchment possible without sacrificing efficiency ; that a number of gentlemen, with himself, had gone through the Estimates as far as Claes X., and they had come to the conclusion that up to that point a saving of at least L 40,000 might be effected, and that possibly a very much larger sum even than that might be obtained if they had such information as would enable them to suggest where amalgamation ol offices could be effected. They thought that there was need for a thorough classification of the whole Service, as the anomalies at present were very marked. He also drew attention to a report which had been received from the Financial Reform Association of Auckland, which showed that the total reduction in the expenses of managementof the working railways had only amounted to L 65, and that if a 10 per cent, reduction were made in this department alone it would amount to L 68,732. He also thought that an immediate saving could be effected by transferring the Native schools to the Boards of Education, for he had already shown to the House that they were coating twice as much as the ordinary public schools, It appeared from the Estimates that there was to be no change in the cost this year; for whilst the vote asked for last year was L 15,300, upon the present Estimates they were asked to vote L 15.500. He also drew attention to the sum of L 52,500 asked for contingencies, and the LG,OOO that was to be paid to the police, in addition to their salaries, as long service pay. He thought that upon this some fednetion might be made, seeing that the lowest sum paid to third-class constables was L2 9d per week. Ho said that the deputation had not the slightest desire to embarrass the Government, but rather to assist them in carrying out that retrenchment which the country needed. The Premier, in reply, stated that he was very pleased indeed to meet the depution, but he could not promise that he eould retrench to anything like the sum named. They (the Government) had gone into the matter very carefully, and had made considerable reductions, and would continue to do so. He intended to bring in a Bill to classify the Civil servants, but he feared that he would not be able to give immediate effect to it. The fact was that a number of persons had been employed to do private work, but they expected to receive officers’ pay, and by getting additions to their salary from time to time, they were found to-day receiving a very great deal more than their situations warranted them in receiving. But he thought the Government could hardly be expected to reduce these persons at once to the amount they ought to get, and so they had determined to provisionally classify them ; and where they had more than the number in a class, they would not raise anyone in that class until they had got the exact number and no more. He was asked whether a very serious injustice had not been done to the people by paying these persons such salaries, and whether the right course was not to at once reduce these officers and save the taxpayers, who would feel the depression much more than those who, although reduced, would still be getting all they were entitled to receive for the services rendered by them. He admitted that the case was hard, whichever way one took it, and he would be glad to consider it still further. With respect to the railways, they would place them under a non-political board, when no doubt savings such as the House could not make would be made. Mr Withy, Mr Peacock, Mr Guinness, and others said thatall theCommitteedesired was to urge upon the Government the need for retrenchment; and they felt sure that the Committee would be willing to assist them, if the Premier could suggest any means by which this assistance could be given. The Premier promised to consider the matter, and would give them an answer as soon as possible. The deputation then withdrew.