DAY BY DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15035, 5 September 1922, Page 4

DAY BY DAY

Woolgrowers will no doubt welcome the reduction announced

Freights on Produce.

recently of the rates on wool carried by overseas steamers of

id per pound, plus 10 per cent. This fall in the freight rate may not seem much by lliose unconnected with the trade (remarks the Wellington Post), but it really represents an advance in the price of wool by, roughly, 4s, per bale. The estimated concession by the shipping companies, taking into account greasy wool and sheepskins scoured, washed, and freezing companies' slined wool, is estimated at £130,000 on the average production of 000,000 bales per annum. In Way last a reduction of l<\ per lb was made in the freight rate on beef. Had the full quantity been offered that wins anticipated, this lower rate would have effected a saving to the country of £40,000 on the sea carriage of beef. As a matter of fact, the beef was not killed. There was also a fall in the freight rates on tallow. Wo'ol buyers operating in the Dominion, whatever tin; market may lie, will bo able to pay id per pound more for wool this coming season, and Wool sent Home for sale will be worth that much more. Reductions on freight's for cereals and other cargo have also been made. Obviously shipping companies, like producers, are anxious to obtain the best possible returns from the enterprise, but recent freight reductions do not seem to indicate, as Mr I']. Newman, M.P., stated at the producers' freezing company's function recently, that shipping companies are endeavouring to "strangle" the trade of the country. On the contrary, they appear to have perceived that it is in I heir own interests that that trade should he conserved and the situation caused by lower prices for produce be met.

An interesting extract from the New

The Prunina Hook In Wow S. Wales.

South Wales Budget Statement: "As to the possibilities

of a reduction in I he future. The two ways in which a reduction can be brought about are by ensuring more efficient service and a better organisation of all Departments, and by a reduction of

the amount paid to the individual members Cif the public service. With regard to the first of these points the Government believes that it is : taking the most practical course to effect this by the appointment of the Public Service Board contemplated by the Bill now before the House. The Government, therefore, proposes to press on with this measure at the earliest possible date. When appointed the commissioners will reclassify the whole of the Public Service, and will act as auditors of efficiency. It is also proposed to amend the Arbitration (Publlo Service) Act so as to remove all publlo servants in receipt of over £3lO per annum from the operation of the Act. If this is done, it is believed it will be possible to obtain greater efficiency throughout the service, and particularly to afford greater opportunities for advancement to those members who show marked ability. With regard to the second point, the Government has given the most careful consideration to the question of salaries in the Civil Service. The result has been to show that no reductions of a general character, such as for example a percentage reduction on the lines adopted in New Zealand, could be brought about without the gravest injustice. An investigation of the salaries shows clearly that they are not on a higher basis than those paid for similar work outside the Government employment,, and, in many cases, particularly in regard to senior officers, they are substantially lower. Certain allowances were added; however, to enable the Public Servants to meet the burden brought about by rising prices. Now that prices are falling a reduction of these allowances can with equity be considered without dny lowering of the standard of living, to which the Government is emphatically opposed. The Government recognises that as the executive authority, the duty rests up'on it to take the, necessary" action to effect a reduction in such allowances, when the circumstances with regard to '.he cost of living justify Its so doing;