CUTTING DOWN STAFFS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 8

CUTTING DOWN STAFFS.

GOVERNMENT ECONOMIES.

REDUCTIONS TO DATE.

AMALGAMATING DEPARTMENTS,

[by telegraph.—pkess association.]

WELLINGTON. Friday. The Prime Minister intimated to-day that he had received a return from the Public Service Commissioner g'ving a comparison of the staff employed in the Public Service on April 1, 1921, and the staff employed on January 31, 1922. The return showed that owing to the falling off of activities there had been reductions in the permanent staff in most departments. The services of 247 officers had been terminated, and the positions had not been filled. These figures referred only to the permanent personnel of the departments. Iti addition the temporary staff (oxeluding workmen) had been reduced by 492, making a tola 1 reduction of 739 employees during that period. These figures, stated the Prime Minister, showed that the commissioner and the permanent heads of the departments | were fully aliv e to the urgent necessity I for economising wherever possible. Reductions in staff, it is understood, | are continuing. Where reduced activities 1 justify such a step being taken, the staff is accordingly reduced. Against this reduction only two departments show any increase—the staff of the Mental Hospitals Department, where the hours and eon- ! ditions of employees have been improved, and the. Health Department, where a number of inspectors have, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act, been taken over from the local authorities. The additional expense in this latter case is not wholly a charge on tho Consolidated Fund. The figures above quoted do not include the Postal or Railway or Defence Departments. Dealing with the amalgamation of departments, the Prime Minister intimated that the amalgamation of the Government Insurance, State fire, and National Provident and Friendly Societies Departments will be effected at an early date, tho preliminary steps having already been taken. Arrangements navo also been completed for the Commissioner of Taxes to assume control of the Stamp Duties and Land Deeds Departments, and the combined department will be known as the Inland Revenue Depart- ' ment. The housing branch of the Labour Department will be closed down immediately. Other amalgamations are in train, and when carried into effect will secure

considerable economy, which will be reflected in the departmental estimates of expenditure for the ensuing year. There are still a number of recommend-

ations from the Economics Committee to

be given effect to, They will be attended to as opportunities offer. The full effect of the retrenchment which has

already been arranged will not be felt for nearly another year, but much good work has been done. The finances are

gradually getting into a sound position, and it is intended to have the whole

of the details ready for Parliament when it meets in June.