ECONOMY COMMISSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19093, 28 January 1932, Page 6

ECONOMY COMMISSION.

TO REVIEW PUBLIC EXPENDITURE DRASTIC CUTS FORESHADOWED. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 27. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes announced to-day the following as the personnel of the special Economy Commission to review public expenditure and make recommendations to the Government with a view to effecting economies : GEORGE SHIRTCLIFFE (Chairman). JAMES BEGG (Dunedin). COLONEL ESSON (Wellington). JOHN LESLIE GRIFFIN (Wellington) ALEX MACINTOSH (Wellington). Statement by Mr Forbes. The Prime Minister, in announcing the members of the Economy Commission, said the order of reference requires the Commission to review and report on the public expenditure in all its aspects, to indicate economies that might be effected, if particular policies are either adopted, abandoned or modified, and generally make recommendations to the Government for effecting forthwith all possible reductions in public expenditure, having regard especially to the present prospective position of the public revenues. The Commission is required to submit an interim report not later than March 18, and the final report not later than May 1. Mr Forbes said it was hoped the Commission would be able to make its principal or most urgent recommendations in time for legislation to be put through during the forthcoming short session. If necessary, the economies would then be effective as from the beginning of the next financial “There is no doubt,” continued Mr Forbes, “but further drastic economies will have to be made. It will be remembered that the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. D. Stewart), reviewing the position of national finances, based on eight months’ figures, pointed out that in spite of the additional provisions of the Supplementary Budget, the chances of making ends meet in the Consolidated Fund this financial year, were rapidly disappearing. The position since had been accentuated by the necessity for providing for heavy exchange costs in remitting moneys to London, to meet commitments for interest, etc. As far as can be seen at present, the next financial year will be even more difficult than the present one, so far as public finance is concerned. Accordingly, it is essential that every item of expenditure must be reviewed again in the light of present and prospective conditions.” Personal Notes. Mr George Shirtcliffe, chairman of the Economy Commission, is chairman of directors of A. S. Paterson and Co., and one of Wellington’s leading businessmen. He was a member of the Taxation Commissions set up by the Government in 1922 and 1924. and is chairman of the Board of Scientific and Industrial Research. Mr Shirtcliffe commenced his business career in Timaru. Mr Begg is a retired sheepfarmer, and was a member of the Efficiency Board, and a member of the Taxation Commission of 1924. Mr Esson was formerly secretary to the Treasurer, and was a member of the Economic Commission and Uniformity Commission. He was chairman of the Rural Intermediate Credits Board, and first chairman of the Government Railways Board. Mr Griffin is a member of the firm of Clark', Menzies, Griffin and Ross, accountants, of Wellington. He was president of the New Zealand Society of Accountants in 1929, and for the past eighteen months has been representing the Society on the Committee which is revising the Companies Act. Mr Macintosh is well known throughout Australia and New Zealand as a banker. He was general manager of the Bank of New Zealand in 1903-6, and subsequently was president of the Savings Bank Commissioners of New South Wales. On returning to New Zealand, he was superintendent in the Dominion for Dalgety and Co., retiring in 1916.