ECONOMY DEMANDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21403, 30 January 1933, Page 6

ECONOMY DEMANDED

Having through its exchange manipulation imposed terrific new burdens upon the Budget, the Government remains singularly lukewarm on the subject of economy. It appointed the National Expenditure Commission to make a comprehensive investigation of departmental expenditure, but has done very little indeed in the direction of carrying out its sound recommendations. Thus to-day extravagance and waste continue. Whatever collective support may be accorded arguments for economy the avenues for which have been clearly indicated, Ministers individually refuse to act. As far as Cabinet is concerned the question is only one of theory. If it had not been weak-kneed and spineless and sadly lacking in the courage expected of men charged with national responsibilities, it would have anticipated the commission's recommendations. Apparently it regarded the time necessary for the inquiry as an excuse for delay. Now there is no excuse. There has been no excuse for months, but still there is no real action. The Government would rather bleed the people white and risk the gravest reactions to trade than take the sane course of dealing with one of the worst causes of the ills. The whole Administration is based upon boom-time finance. No department can hope to continue to avoid the consequences of the slump. The longer contraction of expenditure is delayed the worse will be the consequences. The question is not one of policy but a plain duty which the Cabinet lacks the resolution to face.