STAMP & DEEDS OFFICES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11770, 18 October 1932, Page 2

STAMP & DEEDS OFFICES.

AIR COLEMAN’S PROTEST AGAINST CENTRALISATION . (Special to the Times). ■WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. A protest against, it,he recommendation of the National Expenditure Commission that various Government Departments be centralised and particularly against 1 recommendations in connection with the Stamps and Deeds Office, was made by Mr. Coleijian, ALP., during the Budget debate. Air. . Coleman said that the Commission seemed to think that there would be a saving of £6,000 per annum if its recommendations were, carried out 1 , but lie would point out. that the change would involve a largo initial cost in ;tho transfer of •staffs and records, etc., and it would be a considerable time before any actual saving would make itself felt. In any case, he considered that the convenience of the people should receive some consideration. “With centralisation, control, ’> continued Air. Coleman, “there would be no end of correspondence from the various localities prevoiusly served locally. The Department would he sending out numerous letters to t}ie effect that “Your letter received.; contents noted. The Department will give consideration to the representations made”, or letters of like nature. There will be endless correspondence and not the same satisfaction. It is not, wise to centralise everything in one city. Local people have a better knowledge of local requirements. At the present- time, a cleric can go to the Deeds Office to search for certain records, but, under the Commission’s proposals, it would he necessary to appoint an agen ( t, in a. centre, and this would add to the expense of the people. The Government might save something by the change 'but the taxpayer would have to pay more in the long run.. Air. Coleman trusted that .the Government- would not agree to -the recommendations of the Commission insofar as the centralisation of the Stamp and Deeds Offices are concerned.