RETRENCHMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16584, 17 November 1921, Page 6

RETRENCHMENT.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT EXPECTED. [from Om Cohp.bspondevt.j WELLINGTON. November 16Surprising staying power has been shown by the financial debato in the House this week. It was apparently on its last legs on Tuesday night, when the Prime Minister prepared to speak, but fresh talent cam > forward and the discussion had to be resumed. To-day thero was lack of vitality about the whole proceedings, yet new speakers continually arose, while Mr Alassey waited patiently with a largo budget of notes to make his reply, which he decided to defer till. Thursday. It is understood that he will have, an important statement to make in regard to further details of retrenchment, for the Government has come to the decision to make drastic cuts. Some general ideas on the matter appear to be current in public service circles, in which it is realised that the process will be a severe one. The only pointed reference to the subject in to-day’s discussion was when Mr Harris (Waitemata) expressed a hope that the Government would not undertake anything so inequitable as a percentage cut, because 10 per cent off a high salary would not be felt so severely as a similar cut on low-paid men. Mr Massey interrupted : What about the bonus? Mr Harris replied that n mistake was made in making the bonus nermanent. “ But it is not permanent,” answered the Prime Minister’. Mr Harris concluded his reference to the subject with the suggestion that a man getting £3OOO could well afford to give up £IOOO.