"AXE" IN INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18341, 6 March 1923, Page 7

"AXE" IN INDIA.

ECONOMY PROPOSALS* REDUCTION OF THE ARMY. PLANS TO SAVE £10,250,000. THE INCH CAPE INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright' (Received 8.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. DELHI. March 4. Tho committee under the chairmanship of Lord Inchcape, appointed to recommend economies in public expenditure in India, presented a unanimous report to the Viceroy recommending net reductions amounting to 19i crores of rupees (about £19,250,000), of which over half, it is recommended, should bo in military expenditure, by reducing the strength of all fighting services, British and Indian. It proposes the sending Home of three British cavalry regiments, reorganisation of tho supply services, reduction by 66 lakhs of rupees (about £660,000) of expenditure on military works, and drastic curtailment of tho Royal Indian marine service. The remainder of the proposed economies includes 4£ crores of rupees (about £4,500,000) on railways, and about £1,500,000 on post and telegraph and other similar works. On other Civil departments many important posts, such as the InspectorGeneral of Irrigation, the Educational Commissioner, the Indian Trade Commissioner in London, the Public Health Commissioner and Director of Medical Research, are recommended for abolition. It is proposed that the departments of railway, post and telegraphs, public works, education, health, revenue, agriculture, commerce and industries be grouped into a single portfolio, the activities to be divided into two Departments of Commerce and General.

THE INDIAN BUDGET. SALT TAX DOUBLED. A. and N.Z. DELHI, March 4. The Government of India Budget shows no important changes from last year, except that it has doubled the salt tax which already has been hailed as another attempt to oppress the poor. Further large reductions in the strength of the army are. foreshadowed.