SOCIAL SERVICES

Southland Times, Issue 21648, 9 March 1932, Page 6

SOCIAL SERVICES

EXPENSES TOO HIGH ’ VIEWS OF MR J. HARGEST REDUCTIONS MUST BE MADE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, March 8. “We have got to cut down the social services in this country and we should cut down expenditure on the High Commissioner’s Office and the League of Nations Secretariat at Geneva,” Mr J. Hargest stated in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Money was needed in New Zealand, he said, and the cost of the two places named had increased to an enormous extent during recent years. “I am surprised at the paucity of information that comes to this country regarding the activities and expenses of the High Commissioner’s Office,” Mr Hargest said. A great many marketing boards had been set up during recent years and while they added to the expenses of the producer, they cut down the work of the High Commissioner’s office. The cost of the office had grown by leaps and bounds. Referring to one item, he said that in 1916 the cost of messengers was £6535 and this year it was over £19,000. “At this time, when we require money in the country, the Prime Minister might well consider going into the question of cutting down these expenses,” he said. The people employed there were mainly residents of Britain and while it might be hard on them as individuals if they lost their positions, New Zealand should not be expected to keep them in employment when she had insufficient money for her own citizens. Mr W. J. Jordan (L., Manakau) : It is the cheapest run office in London and we are the smallest Dominion represented in London. Mr Hargest replied that the expenditure on the League of Nations Secretariat was, also growing. He continued that he would not take second place to any man in supporting the work of the League, but he objected to huge staffs being built up in Geneva when New Zealand was unable to afford her share towards their support. “We have got to cut down the social services in this country and we should cut down these outside expenses,” concluded Mr Hargest. “The country expects it and we should do it.”