CUTTING COSTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11549, 28 January 1932, Page 5

CUTTING COSTS

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE

DRASTIC STEPS FORECAST

all possible reductions NEEDED

(Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 27.

The Primo Minister, the R,t. Hon. Q. W. Forbes, tantnounced to-day The following., personnel, of the;' special Economy Commission To toyiew public expenditure: and make ; recommendatkms to the Government with a view to effecting economies:—

Mr George Shirtoliffe, chairman Mr James Bcgg, Dunedin.

Col. J. J. Esson, Wellington

Mr John L. Griffin, Wellington. Mr Alec. Macintosh, Wellington

In announcing the members of the commission, Air Forbes said the order of reference requires the commia sion to review and report on public expenditure and its aspects; to indicate that might he effected if particular policies were adopted, abandoned, or modified; and generally to make recommendations to the Government for effecting forthwith all possible reductions in public expenditure, having regard especially to the present and prospective position of the public revenues. The commission is required to submit an interim report not later than March 1, and a finnl report not later than Afay 1.

Mr Forbes said it was hoped that the commission would ■ be able to make its principal, and most urgent recommendations, in time for legislation to ho put through during tho forthcoming short session. The economies would then be effective as from the beginning of next financial year.

“There is no doubt.’’, continued Air Forbes, “’that further drastic economies will have to be made. It will lie remembered that the Alinistor of Finance, the Hon. IV. Downie Stewart. in reviewing the position of the national finances, based on eight months’ figures, pointed out that in spite of tile, additional provisions of tlie Supplementary Budget the chances of making ends meet in the consolidated fund this financial year were rapidly disappearing. The position had since been accentuated by the necessity for providing for heavy exchange • costs in remitting moneys to London to meet commitments for interest, etc. As far as can Fq seen at. present, tho next financial year will bo even more difficult than the present one. so far as public finance is concerned. Accordingly, it is essential that every item of expenditure must be reviewed again in tho light of the present and prospective conditions.” PERSONNEL OF COMMISSION BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES (Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. Mr George Shirtoliffe. chairman of tho Economy Commission, is chairman of directors of Messrs A. Si Pat terson and .Co., and is one of Wellington’s leading business men. tie was a member of the Taxation Commissions set up by the Government in 1922 and 15)24, nnd is chairman of the Board of Sclent fie Research and Industrial Research.

Mr Begs;, >who is a retired sheepfarmer, was a member of the Efficiency Board and a member of the Taxation Commission in 1924. Mr Esson was formerly secretary to the Treasury, also a member of the Economic Commission and of the .Uniformity Commission, He was chairman of the ."Rural Intermediate Credits Board and the first chairman of the Government Hallways Board. Mr Griffin-is a memher_..o£ the firm of Messrs Clark, Menzies.' Griffin and Boss, accountants, "Wellington. He was president of the New Zealand Society of Accountants in 1929 and for the past. IS months lias boon representing the society on a committee which is revising the Companies Act.-

a Mr Macintosh is well known * throughout Australia and New Zealand as a banker. He was general n'tnager of the Bank of New Zealand from 1903 to 1906 and subsequently .president of tho Savings Bank Cominissiouers of New South Wales. Reiturning to New Zealand, ho became superintendent in tho Dominion for Messrs" Dalgety and Co.. retiring from that post in 191 b.