COMMONWEALTH SALARY LIST

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1920, Page 1

COMMONWEALTH SALARY LIST

SYDNEY, Oct. 5. The recent publication of the Commonwealth Budget has brought the Common wealth finances under the microscope for a periodical examination. Some of the newspapers have been busy on dissection, ; and the scalpel has repealed some amazing figures in regard, to salaries paid to the public servants of the Commonwealth. In 1913-14, the year before the war, the total sum paid in salaries by the Commonwealth was £4,781,450. For the current year, 1920-21, the estimate is considerably over £8,000,000. An examination shows a hundred per cent increase in six years in practically every department. This increase in salaries is not the direct result of war conditions. Defence and naval cost £1,064,000 before the war, and this year the estimate is £2,558,000. £344,000 is provided for , repatriation and similar work, for which nothing was provided during the years before the war. The main- increases are in what might be called the noncombatant departments. The Prime Minister’s Department got through . with £56,000 before the war, now it ’■ requires £166,000. The Treasurer wanted only £66,141 in 1913—now he must . have no less than £388,000. Here are : some of the others:— 1913-14 1920-21 £ £ i Home & Territories 66,000 165,000 ■: Trade & Customs 309,000 455,000 : Works & Railways 102,000 139,000 ' Post & Telegraphs 2,878,000 5,741,000 Even the modest little department of (the Attorney-General has increased its salary list from £28,000 six years ago, to £58,000 this year. This money is not being spent in reproductive works or undertakings, of national importance, It is simply going to maintain a lmge and growing army of officials. Two years ago the salary bill was £3,348,000 m<> that oven in that short time it has increased by £1,800,000. Is it any wonder that the people of this country are becoming restless under the strain of maintaining their seven Governments in office ?