STATE ECONOMIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 February 1933, Page 6

STATE ECONOMIES

WASTE AND EXTRAVAGANCE CHARGE DENIED MINISTER QUOTES FIGURES “Criticism lias been levelled in some quarters, including certain' sections of the Press, against the Government,’ winch it is stated is lacking in courage and resolution in facing its plain duty to effect economies and check waste and extravagance in Government expenditure,” said the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, when speaking on the second reading of the Banks Indemnity (Exchange) Bill in the Legislative Council. “Apparently these statements ha"* been made without thought' or knowledge of the position, as the Government has been strongly criticised by other sections for the economies and reductions which it has made,” said Mr Masters. “For instance, there have been cuts in wages and salaries, reductions in staff, economies effected by the amalgamation of departments, the reorganisation of services, and expenditure generally has ben reduced. "The expenditure in 1929-30 amounted to £25,200,882, and appropriations for 1932-33 amounted to £22,640,000, a reduction of £2,560,882. Additional economies are:—Railways, £1,822,120 ; Post, and Telegraph, £236,279. Thus the totar economies had been £4,619,281. There have also been economies in the Public Trust Department, Native Trust, Forestry Department and Government Life Insurance amounting to approximately £272,000, making the economies this year as compared with 1929-30 £4,891,281. “In addition to this, however, new items of expenditure have had to be nict in addition to 1929-30 as a result of the pfeient' conditions. These are:— £ Increase in debt charges 1,059,000 Exchange on remittances of public moneys to and from aiiv country beyond N\Z. (10 per cent, exchange) ... 350,000 Pensions increase 365,000 League of Nations 8,000 Auctioneers’ license fees (previously paid through deposit account) 17,000 Reimbursement State Advances and Superannuation Funds of amount of reduction in rate of interest on mortgages 250,000 External Affairs—credits in aid—Reparation Estates now shown under revenue 107,000 Justice —.Mortgagors’ Relief Commission 10,000 Subsidy—Unemployment Fund (April, 1932) ..* 167,000 Police—Special allowances ... 43,000 Carriage of lime and fertilisers 32,000 Subsidy—Superphosphates 154,000 Various other additional items 134,000 Total £2,696,000 “Had it not been necessary to meet these new items which I have mentioned our expenditure for 1932-33 would have been £7,587,281 less than it was in 192930, and this I think is sufficient answer to those who state that the Government is not doing its duty in reducing experi diture where possible,” added Mr Masters