RETRENCHMENT IN AUSTRALIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 862, 9 April 1903, Page 4

RETRENCHMENT IN AUSTRALIA.

TIIE PINCH IN NEW SOUTH WALES. By Telegraph—Press 'Association — Copyright. SYDNEY, April 8. Speaking at Cowra the State Treasurer said it would not only be necessary to curtail loan expenditure, but in view of the heavy shrinkage of the revenue during the coining financial year, and the new fixe! obligations they had to meet, retrenchment must be the order oE the day. He would have to ask the Civil servants and a thousand permanent employers in good positions to contribute something from tlieir ’incomes to help tho Government to pass through a most trying time.... It would be most unreasonable that those' in the Government service should stand high and dry when tens of thousands of producers, business men, g.iul those emplayod by them were suitering losses and privations. If there was to he retrenchment in the Civil .Service, it must commence with (he members of the Government themselves, judges, railway commissioners, and all highly paid officers, and go right down to what seemed absolutely necessary for a man to keep a wife and family on. He did not propose a permanent reduction of salaries, but Civil servants must pay a contribution to help to tide over a time of great difficulty caused by drought. He was of opinion (hat the salaries and pensions to judges were outrageously high. He would submit a proposal to greatly reduce the emoluments in making future appointments. In regard to the reduction of members ho felt sure the Government would ho able to propose what would give general satisfaction Old age pensions would have to be reduced, and the expenditure under this head limited to £<loo,ooo a year. If they ensured the aged poor getting ten shillings a week it was the utmost they could do at present.-