STATE SAVINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 7

STATE SAVINGS.

SUGGESTIONS BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

J:,./: AUCKLAND, Jan. 28. Various suggestions for further economies in the Government departments have been made by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to the Associated Chambers, of Commerce, in view of-.die pending . investigations of the Economy Commission. The chamber considers that substantial savings could be made by staff and salary adjustments, by a more conservative policy, with regard to the ejection of new buildings, by curtailing much unnecessary travelling at the State expense, and. by reduced running of official motor cars, and by fewer transfers over long. distances of subordinate Civil Servants. Numerous other directions in which savings could Be made are indicated. “The general comment may be made that administration costs must be reduced, and it would appear that at least a 25 per cent, reduction is essential to ensure stability,” states the chamber. ' ... . . Following, are'some of the instances in which the Auckland chamber considered there should be savings: The services conducted by the Mauj Pomare had been provided only at a steady loss. • . . The Island dependencies seemed to be more expensive than necessary. A more conservative policy should be exercised with regard to new buildings in the Dominion. ‘ There was, unnecessary travelling by Cabinet Ministers to attend local functions and openings; use of official cars by ■ Government officials after hours. Hansard should be modified and leas freely circulated. . . , Many returns appearing in the. Gazette could be eliminated. . Small repairs to Government buildings could be done more if handled locally and not by the Public Works Department. . In all probability substantial economies would accrue if departments were allowed to obtain stationery and printing otherwise than from the Government Printing Office; the Public Works Department should be drasticall v revised. ’ . , There should be economy in education by drastic revision of the *ree place system./ * Some of the more recent social services that have been grafted on to the Education and Health Departments appear to be of the order of luxuries.