GOVERNMENT MUDDLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 65

GOVERNMENT MUDDLING.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR., —Trade depression continues, more especially in connection with our primary industries, and the producers are being called upon to shoulder a heavy burden by way of extra taxation. While the producers and industrial workers are being called upon to make big sacrifices, other sections of the community are being allowed to shirk their responsibilities. So far there has been no reduction made in the salaries of highly-paid State officials, nor has there been any reduction made in their numbers. It is a well-known fact that the Civil Service of this country has grown to such huge proportions that it has now become a burden on the State. State officials are tripping over one another, in every department, and are in receipt of such lucrative wages that many departments, as a result; are being run at a loss, and the producers are being taxed further to make up the difference. While the Government’s parrot crv of economy is echoing- throughout the land, the Government itself is squandering money in every direction. Far too much is being spent in education, and the number of high salaried officers and officials throughout the land is legion. Hundreds of thousands could be saved annually by reducing the incomes of those connected with the management of high schools, colleges, and State departments, and the money thus saved diverted to other uses. In a time of slump the producers are always called upon to carry the heaviest load, and this in its turn brings about considerable hardship amongst the working class. There is no occasion why the Civil Service should not have reductions made in incomes, more especially those in receipt of incomes of over £6 per week. I think I would be quite safe in saying that there are thousands in the service receiving salaries in excess of £3OO per annum, and probably thousands in excess of £5OO. Drastic cuts should be made in all incomes exceeding £lO per week, as these people are in a better position to make sacrifices than thousands of the producers are. This slump is going to be a very serious affair—much more so than many people appear to realise. There is no indication anywhere of the depression lifting, and so long as conditions continue to become worse in the Homeland and in the Old World there will be no improvement here. Therefore, there is not the slightest doubt but that drastic cuts will have to be made in every department in the country before long, and the sooner the pruning knife is applied to big salaries the better it will be for all concerned.—l am, etc., A. T. S. Gore, October 1.