THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service” WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1944 DECENTRALISATION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32501, 8 November 1944, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service” WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1944 DECENTRALISATION

The extending of the practice of decentralisation from industry to Government departments is an interesting development, particularly the establishment of branch offices of the Land and Income Tax Department, as disclosed by the Minister of Financed Upon the success of the offices to be established in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin will depend whether similar offices will be opened in the provincial centres.

Such decentralisation, . of course, will add to the administrative costs of the department, but this department’s expenses, in relation to revenue, are infinitesimal. It is likely, indeed, that the local knowledge and inquiry of income tax staffs* on the spot will bring increased returns to the department. Furthermore, decentralised offices will permit many taxpayers to avoid the im-. position of exchange, and will tend to reduce the “trek” to Wellington for information and argument respecting individual problems.

In wartime there has been a big increase in centralisation, a tendency already apparent before the war due to the extension of controls of all kinds. That centralisation has brought some inefficiency, has aggravated the housing situation in Wellington, and has brought social and labour problems in its train. De-

centralisation already is overdue and is the first need of a healthy post-war economy. Industries are being forced to decentralise because the labour market is exhausted in the cities; if Government departments join in this movement national efficiency must increase.