ADMINISTRATIVE ECONOMIES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 November 1930, Page 4

ADMINISTRATIVE ECONOMIES

WAYS AND MEANS DISCUSSED MINISTERS AND STATE OFFICERS s* (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. A special meeting of Ministers of the Grown and permanent heads of the departments was held to-day for the purpose of discussing administrative efficiency and economy, and subsequently Sir Apirana Ngata, on behalf of :Hon. E. A. Ransom, denied a statement that the Government’s expenditure was proving greater than anticipated. “Further reference to the speech in fcho House 'by the acting-Minister of Finance on 'the Appropriation Bill will show,” said Sir Apirana., “at that stage there had occurred evidence of a falling-off of Customs revenue, which it was estimated would amount to ait least £250,000 for the year. The steps to be taken to meet the position were indicated, and it was then hoped that by careful administration and close control over expenditure for the se|eoind half of the year the accounts would Ibe balanced as at -March 31 next (Subsequent events have confirmed the belief that not only the estimated shortage in the Customs revenue would accrue, but in addition that there is a probability of a serious revenue shortage in railway interest compared with the amount ailojwed for in the Budget. The position now reached is, therefore, due to contraicting revenue, and note to the possibility of expenditure proving greater than was expected.” •Sir Apirana Ngata concluded' by saying that the Government had recognised all along that this year would be a particularly difficult one from the point of view of finance and had fully taken the country into its confidence in the matter. The meeting todliay was merely one of the icogs in a long series of events which the 'Government had dealt with in order to meet the economic difficulties o'f the times, and was an indication that the country could rely on the Government doing everything possible to keep the public finances on an even keel.