The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, MAY 9, 1932. THE SESSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18631, 9 May 1932, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, MAY 9, 1932. THE SESSION.

The session is drawing to a -close. It has been a long drawn out agony, with bitterness in it for everybody, and it has not beefi made -easier by the Labour party, who persistently accuse the Government of unfairness to the working man. It Is reasonable to suppose that the Government dislike the cutting of wages as much as a private employer would. The persistent refusal to recognise the fall in the country’s income destroys any value which their criticisms might have had. There are grounds for criticising the actions which have been taken, but the Labour members have not taken them. The proportion of economies to the new taxation is not sufficient. The cuts in salaries of civil servants -have been heavy, -but other savings are small. An instance was quoted recently where a relief worker had done about £5 work for a farmer, the wages being paid by the Unemployment Board. Before they paid they must send an inspector from Wellington. The farmer’s certificate, or that of some county inspector or Government official in the neighbourhood, should have sufficed. It is the frequenoy of such follies that makes Government so expensive. The permanent heads of departments should see that such things do not happen, and if they neglect this duty should he asked to retire. A long''course of prosperity has led to laxity in our methods, and this will have to be remedied if any savings are to he made. The chief necessity is a reduction in the number of civil servants, but It would be a cruelty to bring this about at present, and when limes improve everyone will forget. Ministers have ceased to exorcise control over departments and confine themselves to representing the departments’ views in iho House. There is much demand for a reduction in the number of members, but the demand is made in order lo save a small amount in the salaries of members. A more capable body of members is required, and wc shall not get them without paying an adequate salary.

The Finance Bill is made the vehicle for dealing with all manner of incongruous items that ought lo appear as amendments lo previous Acts. In the one now before Iho House llioro is a valuable proposal, lo abolish Iho statutory appropriations 'which have kept lwo-liiirds of 11 la annual budget out of the purview of Parliament. The effect will he to give Parliament the opporlmiily lo challenge and criticise the annual expenditure. Hitherto any opportunities for economy have linen very limited, and often Iho growth of departments has been beyond the power of any member to cheek or even to know about. There will, at least, be the possibility of do-

ing so when the -expenditure has to be passed by the House. This throws an additional responsibility and gives additional power to -every member of the. House, and it is for them to make use of it.

The proposal to extend the life of Parliament to four years Is one that might be approved, but it should be approved by the country and not by the House. It is setting a bad precedent. Supposing that Mr Lang should prolong the life of the existing House in New South Wale's, would not such a proposal be deeply resented by his opponents? There is no guarantee against the election of a House of extreme views', who might prolong their life for more than one year. The argument that four years are required for the measures of the Government to operate will not hold water, for it Is possible that the depression may pass in less than that time, and possible also that we may still have it with us when the time is up. If the proposal were placed before the country there is' much to he said in its favour, and the time might even be extended to five years. The action, however, should not be taken without the oonsent of the constituencies. There" is much loose talking and wild -opinions are: expressed. It is particularly incumbent on the Government of the country to observe the law with the utmost exactness.

The clause which authorises the dismissal of any public servant who acts in such a manner as to bring Government into contempt is one that should meet with no opposition. Civil servants occupy a peculiar and to some extent privileged position, and should he prepared to accept the accompanying disabilities. The clause is especially necessary In this country because of the swollen size of our services. No private employer would be expected to retain any employee who vaunted the merits of a competing Arm. Civil -servants have the right to vote, and should therewith he -content. Too much Outcry may lead to enquiry whether that right should he granted.