STRICT ECONOMY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10964, 28 July 1921, Page 4

STRICT ECONOMY

URGING THE GOVERNMENT REDUCTION OF CIVIL SERVICE COSTS ADVOCATED. INSTANCES OF “WASTE.** A subject -which may. be referred to as the ’“need for economy’’ was discussed by she Farmers’ cnion conference yesterday. The following remits were on the order paper, the first from Otago, the second from Southland : (1) “lb at this conference urge on the Government a -policy of strict economy. with a view to partly relieving the burden of taxation.’ ’ (2) “That the Government be urged to drastically retrench in view of the fact that farm products have suffered a severe drop in values.” The mover of the resolutions, Air J. A. Alacpberson (Oamarn), said the tame had come for reasonable economy, and it was the clutv of the Government to reduce its great expenditure. These, said Air G. Sheat- (Dunaandd), were difficult times and the period was one of reconstruction. ’Filer. l was a burden to be borne, and the farmers were content to stand a share of it. They were entitled to ask the Governmentto use the pruning knife on the civil, service. The Government .should be-’ gin with their own salaries, which they increased last session. Sir Harry Atkinson had reduced -Allnisfcerial salaries years ago, and the present Government ought to be able to do the same. Useless public officials ought to be dispatched from the service and sent on to the land. He bad enough confidence in “Old Bill” to feel sure he would do his duty. SALARIES OF PARLIAMENTARIANS. A delegate remarked that it would be no great credit to Parliamentarians to reduce their salaries ten per cent, seeing that they bad increased them 60 per cent. Captain Colbeck (Morrinsville) said expenditure would have to be reduced regardless of the feelings of those- who might lose jobs. The cost of production could not come down fill wages came down, and in this the Government should give a lead. The opinion of Air J. S. Jessup (Hawke’s Bay) was that the workers would realise the position. In other parts of the world they were accepting lower wages. It would be well for the country, Air AY. B. Alatheson (Eketahuna) thought, when it was generally realised that wages had to come down and a return to a normal state of things bad to be made. Instances of what was termed waste were given. One was the expenditure of £2OO on an aerial mad service for a return of £2O. Another was that departmental officers drawing £BOO and £9OO a year had recently bad their pay increased by £SO. Stul another was Royal Commissions. HOW THE WORKERS WOULD VIEW IT Air R. D. Duxfield (Horotiu) thought the aerial expenditure should not be altogether condemned. It was for an experiment. Air Sheat: Is this a time for experiment ? Air AV- J- Poison (Fordell) considered it would be a great thing to have such a system of supervision as to secure a fair day’s work for a fa Mr d W? (North Canterbury) thought the workers would stand by the Dominion in this matter. Air Alacpherson, replying, did not agree with some observations made respecting Ministers’ salaries. New Zealand nev<p- had a Prime Minister who was adequately paid for the work he did. An example was being set the Government by .the farmers, who were reducing the wages of their own employees. The motions were aoopted-