RETRENCHMENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12241, 9 April 1903, Page 5

RETRENCHMENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

SPEECH BY THE TREASURER. REDUCTION OF SALARIES. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. Sydney, April 8. Speaking at Cowra the State Treasurer said it would not only be necessary to curtail lean expenditure, but, in view of the heavy shrinkage of revenue during the coming financial year, and the new fixed obligations they had to meet, retrenchment must be the order of the day. He would have to ask the Civil servants and thousands of the permanent employees who were in good positions to contribute something from their incomes to help the Government to pass through a most trying time. It would be most unreasonable that those in the Government service should stand high and diy. when tens of thousands of producers, business men, and those employed by them were suffering losses and privations. If there was to be retrenchment in the Civil Service it must commence with the members of • the (Government themselves, judges, railway commissioners, and all highly-paid officers, and go right down to what seemed absolutely necessary for a man to keep a wife and family on. He did not propose a permanent reduction of salaries, but Civil servants must pay a contribution to help tide over the time of great difficulty caused by the drought. He was of opinion that the salaries., and pensions paid to judges -were outrageously high. He would submit a proposal to greatly reduce emoluments in making future appointments. With regard to reduction of the number of members he felt sure the Government would be able to propose what would give genera l satisfaction. Old age pensions would have - to be reduced, and the expenditure under this head limited to £400,000 a year. If they ensured the aged poor getting ten shillings a week' that was the utmost they could do at present. f. (Received April 9, 1.24 a.m.) Sydney, April 8. The Treasurer's proposed drastic retrenchment fell like a bombshell in the public service ranks. The opinion is freely expressed that after the Government has pursued a career of great extravagance it now punishes others for. its own sins. The Leader of the Opposition asserts that the Treasurer is doing now what he should have done a year ago. He declares that the increase of the State debt under the administration of the present Government amounts to seventeen millions.. ;.