CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14224, 22 November 1909, Page 4

CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES.

In all democratic countries the popular tendency is to seek employment in the Government service. America and France are, notable examples of this characteristic. In. both countries the number of applicants for State positions is steadily growing. In New Zealand a similar condition of things is springing up. There is probably not a single member of Parliament who has not been approached to use his influence to get someone, into the Government service. It is obvious that when political power can be used in this direction to reward party services or conciliate doubtful adherents ■ there is always the temptation to exercise it. During the Seddon regime was used unsparingly. The principle of the spoils to the victors was carried into every Department of the public, service. Indeed,, there seemed at one time to be a danger that the people of this country would ultimately consist of two classes : only taxpayers and Government servants. The result' of this system was to enormously increase the public expenditure. So long as the country was enjoying a spell of unprecedented prosperity no one cared. The evil was allowed to go on growing. Times, however, have changed. The Government have had to carefully consider the question of ways and means. Sir Joseph Ward has found it necessary to use the pruning-knife. In his unaccustomed hands it has not been applied with any remarkable vigour, but nevertheless it has done good work in cutting off a number of useless excrescences. Without in the slightest degree affecting the efficiency of the public service the Prime Minister has found it possible to save some £64,000. ; These figures help us to realise the scandalous state of things that has been permitted to grow up in the Civil Service. But, large as the saving is, it probably represents ~ only a small part of what could actually be saved , were the whole service completely purged of useless and incompetent officials, who owe their position in it to party influence. Sir Joseph Ward, in carrying out retrenchment, has to walk warily, and we can well believe is unable to do

as much as he would like. Were the service to be placed under the control of an Independent Board party considerations would cease to count, and we should have the highest efficiency combined with the greatest economy. Until that is done there is, we fear, little prospect of a political Hercules appearing to essay the task of cleansing the Augean stables.

The report of the West Australian Immigration Department shows that 1508 persons received Stat© aid towards, the cost of their passages last year, ended June 30, exclusive of 3000 new selectors, not counting their wives and families, who came to the State during the same period through the medium of the Melbourne -agency. Of the assisted immigrants 1315 came from Great Britain and 130 from the eastern States of the Commonwealth.