8.—4.

177. We recommend reductions in the remaining items on the vote as set out in the statement hereunder, being convinced that these economies can be effected by closer supervision and control.

178. In addition, there are other items to which we draw special attention, and in connection with which some saving should be effected. These are — Subdivision IV. —General Assembly Library. 179. We are informed that there are approximately eight hundred holders of recess privileges who have access to the General Assembly Library. The granting of privileges must involve some cost, and we see no reason why a small charge should not be made for such privileges. We would recommend that a charge of £1 be made to privilege holders, with a special rate of ss. to bona fide students, of whom a number use the Library. This should provide the sum of £400 in reduction of the general expenses of the Library. Subdivision V. —■" Hansard." Item, Printing of Hansard. 180. The number printed during last year was 7,225 copies, each of twenty-two weekly issues, or a total of 158,950 copies. Each member of Parliament is entitled to seventy-five copies, each member of the Legislative Council to forty copies, and each Minister of the Crown to ninety-five copies of each issue. We recommend that the number of copies printed should be reduced by onehalf, and the copies allowed to members of the Legislature reduced to a similar extent. The number of subscribers amounted to only 156 last year, and the proceeds from sales totalled £189 as against the total cost of reporting and printing of nearly £12,000. It is difficult to state what the annual saving will be, but on last year's figures the sum of £1,500 would have been saved. Subdivision VI. —Bellamy's. 181. The total amount of the vote for Bellamy's for 1931-32 is £7,950, but the total cost as shown in the Income and Expenditure Account of the Legislative Department for 1930-31 was £10,355, exclusive of interest. Some of the staff, whose salaries are provided under this subdivision, are 'employed during the recess on general work in the Parliamentary Buildings, and an allowance of approximately £2,000 should be made on this account. We consider the expenditure in respect of Bellamy's is more than the country should be called upon to pay, as the institution is m the nature of a club. We have not been supplied with a statement of the accounts of Bellamy's,_ but presume that under the present system of management the amount provided as a charge against the Consolidated Fund each year is necessary to maintain the institution. We recommend that the vote should be reduced by at least 50 per cent., or a saving of approximately £4,000, and that the charges should be revised to provide for a greater part of the cost being met by those who enjoy the privileges of Bellamy's. Subdivision Vll.—General Expenses. Item,— „ ' N Passages of —■ "■ Members of both Houses .. . • • • .. 1,450 Members' wives.. . • • • • • • • • • £1,650

4—B. 4.

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Reduction tv+ q i recommended. Subdivision II. —House of Representatives— £ £ Item, Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. 100 Telephone services .. .. .. .. . • 50 150 Subdivision IV. —General Assembly LibraryItem, Binding books .. .. .. .. . • .. 100 ,, Grant to Library Fund .. .. .. .. 150 ,, Newspapers .. .. .. • • • • • • 50 300 Subdivision VI. —Bellamy's— Item, Washing linen .. .. .. . ■ • • • • 100 100 Subdivision VII. —General Expenses— Item, Charwomen .. .. .. . • • ■ • • 200 „ Fuel, light, power, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 1,595 „ Furniture, &c. .. .. . • •• •• •• 1,000 „ Postages and telegrams.. .. .. .. .. 200 „ Uniforms for messengers .. .. .. .. 50 „ Upkeep, parliamentary grounds .. .. .. .. 50 3,095 £3,645 I