B.—4A.

Item —Rates and Repairs to Dwellinghouse, £55. 774. This item is in respect of a dwelling in Auckland which was purchased for the use of a local officer and is now not used for that purpose. We consider that dwellings should not be purchased for officers in centres of population, and recommend that this dwelling be disposed of at the earliest possible opportunity, thus saving overhead expenses. Item —Rent of Office Accommodation, £3,000. 775. This should be reduced to £1,800. Saving, £1,200. Item —Telephone Services, &c., £600. 776. This should be reduced to £500. Saving, £100. Item —Transfer and Removal Expenses, £400. 777. This sho\ild be reduced to £100. Saving, £300. Item —Travelling Allowances and Expenses, £5,500. 778. This should be reduced to £4,000. Saving, £1,500. Item —Weights and Measures Act, &c., £200. 779. This should be reduced to £25. Saving, £175. General. Half-holidays and Closing-hours for Shops, &c. 780. These are fixed annually and it is necessary for the Department to incur some expense each year before the half-holidays and closing-hours for the ensuing year can be gazetted. We suggest that half-holidays and closing-hours be fixed for a longer period. Changes are not frequent, and the procedure could be simplified without detriment to any particular interest. We accordingly recommend that half-holidays and closing-hours for shops should remain fixed until such time as well-supported representations for changes are made. There would be a definite administrative economy in this proposal, but we are unable to assess the amount. Preparation, Revision, and Registration of Rules for Vnions. 781. The volume of work in respect of the above is sufficient to keep at least one officer continuously employed. No fees are charged for the service rendered. 782. We recommend that a fee of £3 3s. be charged for a complete revision of rules, and that a fee of 10s. 6d. or £1 Is. be imposed in respect of amendment to rules, according to the size and number of the amendments. This should produce at least £300. Subdivision II. —Immigration. 783. As previously stated, the expenditure in connection with immigration has hitherto been a charge against the Public Works Fund, and the first year in which the Consolidated Fund has met any expenses was 1931-32. 784. In connection with the expenditure under this- subdivision we have to report as follows :— Item —Salaries, £3,195. 785. There is a staff of seven employed in connection with immigration. We recommend that an effective amalgamation be arranged with the Department of Labour. If this were done one officer should be able to deal with the whole of the immigration work. The main point is that an amalgamation in name only is not sufficient, but the whole organization should be linked with that of Labour. A substantial saving in respect of salaries would result. Saving, £2,600. Item—Administration and General Expenses, £3,000. 786. In view of the curtailment of immigration, this item should be reduced to £500. Saving, £2,500. Item —Amount to cover Grants and Accommodation for Immigrants, £150. „ Amount payable to Matrons, &c., £200. „ Amount required to cover cashing British Treasury Notes, £15,000. 787. The last-mentioned item is wholly recoverable, and is not a charge on taxation. It is considered, however, that the other items need not be repeated. Saving, £350. Item —Portion of Salaries in High Commissioner's Office, £2,900. 788. There should be no necessity for this large amount being charged against immigration. The sum of £500 should suffice for 1932-33, and if the salaries of officers engaged on immigration work in the High Commissioner's Office at present amount to £2,900 it would appear that some staff reduction should be possible.

Saving, £2,400. 6—B. 4a.

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