DRASTIC ECONOMY TO BE EFFECTED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 4

DRASTIC ECONOMY TO BE EFFECTED.

MINOR DEPARTMENTS MAY BE ELIMINATED

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, March 14. The Economy Committee of-Cabinet, comprising Sir Apirana Ngata, the Hon Robert Masters and the Hon W. AVeitch, with the Secretary to the Treasury and the Public Service Commissioner, commenced its work at the end of December, and it has been sitting with few breaks since that date. Departmental heads have, it is stated, been called before the committee to justify their estimates, even when reduced, and the sorting of essential from less-essential items has been rigorous. The results will be seen in the diminished totals of proposed expenditure during the coming financial year. Some of the committee’s sittings have extended late into the night, for the overhaul has been detailed, and the recommendations drastic. Substantial Savings. The general effect of the committee’s work is already reflected in some of the Government’s announced decisions, but there will be further developments affecting the minor Departments of the State, as a number of them are to lose their status. Departmental reorganisation of a thorough character. is, it is reported, being proposed to the Government, enabling the functions of a number of departments to be merged with others. Immigration, as an example, is likely to be placed under the Department of Labour under a further development of the system which placed under the control of the Internal Affairs Department six subsidiary ones. This will involve savings in high salaries. There are thirty-eight separate departments at present, but the reorganisation will substantially reduce that number, resulting, with other administrative changes, in savings totalling well over six figures.