Retrenchment.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 350, 22 January 1903, Page 5

Retrenchment.

■ Humors are current in the "Big Building " (says the Wellington correspondent of the "Lyttelton Times") that the retrenchment knife will be applied to various departments of the service, but I cannot get any reliable confirmation of this. It is, however, notorious that one very important branch of the service is overmanned by officials who, if they had their due, would have been dispensed with long ago. It is no uncommon thing to see them perambulating the streets for hours at a stretch, and chatting with friends in some hotel parlor. All this i has been going on under the eyes of one who is generally credited with being a martinet in his official relations with his subordinates. Surprise has been expressed that no steps have been taken to suppress what everyone knows is nothing short of a scandal. The Minister in charge of the Department cannot be cognisant of the existing state of affairs, otherwise be would certainly step in and end the abuse. It would be well if the example of the head of another Department were emulated. When this gentleman assumed a new and responsible position he discovered that several of his staff under the old regime had matters pretty well in their own hands, and did just as their inclinations suited them. He lost no time in putting his house thoroughly in order for which he was exeorated by those affected and their friends. Events have since proved the wisdom of his policy.