FURTHER REDUCTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 12

FURTHER REDUCTIONS

THE PREMIER EMPHATIC THAT OR BANKRUPTCY [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 25. " There must bo further reductions in expenditure, otherwise wo are facing bankruptcy, and no Government is willingly going to allow the country to go bankrupt. What policy do you stand for—wage reductions or wholesale dismissals? That is the whole position. The Public Service is in the same position as a private firm, and many private firms have had to make dismissals.” This was the statement of Mr Forbes, replying to-day to representations made to him and the Minister of Labour by a deputation representing all branches of the Public Service. Mr Forbes said he found no pleasure in doing what he had been doing for the last twelve months. He recognised to the full the hardship and and distress that had been caused, and the difficult financial position in which many Civil servants had been placed. He was not taking any exception to the representations which were being made to him, but the Government had to consider how it was going to get through its present difficulties without involving further disaster. There would have to be further reductions in Government expenditure.