STATE EXPENDITURE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1933, Page 16

STATE EXPENDITURE

“BUDGETS SHOW INCREASE.” DEPARTMENTAL CONTROL. “The Government should set' an example to the people,” said Mr. J. V. Hall, in moving a motion “That Government expenditure which had not been ' reduced during the last three years be now definitely brought down to an amount which the Dominion can afford to pay.” The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Hall said he had studied the Budgets for the past three years, and they had shown that instead of there being a reduction, there had been a slight increase. The Government had been making many unnecessary payments which came to a huge total. It was noteworthy that the second half of the Economy Commission’s report had not been put into effect. Mr. Hall blamed departmental control for the increase and said that the position was one which the people could not possibly bear much longer. Another speaker said that in the event of an inquiry it should be conducted by outside commissioners in preference to departmental officers who would not apply the axe where it was most needed. The meeting also passed a resolution that rating relief,. either by way of bonus or by way of petrol taxation funds should be given to all rural lands as a preliminary step toward the complete derating of farm lands for roading purposes. Other proposals on the agenda paper included a request to the Government to explore the possibilities of new markets in the East, in Central America, and. on the West Coast of South America, ana another motion that legislation be provided to give the court, on the recommendation of the Adjustment Committee, power to review both principal and interest in dealing with vendor mortgages when deciding applications for relief, were referred to the executive. The motion, “That a mission be sen* to Great Britain to arrange for conversion of New Zealand loans, to lowei interest charges,” was similarly dealt with. Mr. W. Machin, the principal speaker, briefly addressed the gathering. He agreed that we should go to Great Britain for the reduction of tne rate of interest, but we ought to put our own house in order first.