EFFECTS OF STATE FOLIC

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1933, Page 6

EFFECTS OF STATE FOLIC

HIGH EXCHANGE AND TAXES

“COST OF LIVING HAS FALLEN.

CONTROL OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night Sir Francis Bell in the Legislative Council to-day gave notice to .introduce a Bill to amend the Commercial Trusts Act v Moving the Address-in-Reply to fl* Governor-General’s speech the Hon. W. W. Snodgrass said the self-reliant policy of the Government had everything, to recommend it. There had been criticism of the raising of the exchange, but it resulted in bettering the economic situation. In spite of the high exchange and the sales tax the cost of livmg had fallen, and that fact showed that the people had not been hard hit by the Government’s policy. There was no doubt that the country had to pay for past extravagances, and it was to be hoped that the lesson had been learned by the depression. , Seconding the motion the Hon. C. J. Carrington said -that if the leaders of the people took as much notice of the Ten Commandments as they did of economic experts the problems of the world would'soon be solved. On the whole the members of the Public Service were courteous and efficient, but there was a tendency towards over-centralisation and bureaucracy which would have to be checked in New Zealand. A policy of land settlement was needed. It was essential that it should, not. be frustrated by centralised administration, which was stultifying progress. There was too much State paternalism, and for this the educational system was partly responsible. One of the ways out of the difficulty would be to appoint a Minister of the Crown chairman, of a board of public-spirited and far-sighted men to administer the Public Service. Great savings could be brought about by amalgamating the departments of the Public Service, and it was imperative that the costs of Government should be reduced. Promotion should be on merit and not on length of service, and appointments should be subject to .review just in the same way as positions in private business were subject to review. The Council adjourned till to-morrow, when the Hon. J. , Trevithick will cor tinue the debate.