RETRENCHMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1921, Page 4

RETRENCHMENT.

WHAT FORM SHALT IT TAKE? GENERALISED OR SPECIFIC. LOOKING TO THE RESULTS.

At a time when all agree that an urgent need exists for economy in administration, the question ~f what form retrenchment will take, is ol the utmost importance. A blind application of the prening knife may result not merely in removing useless and unproductive shoots, hut <lo serious injury to the plant being treated. This applies as much in the ease of State, industrial or business administration as it does in horticulture. The question is not merely u-hat. cut, if any. shall he made, but what is it wo are proposing tl > excise. A number of our politicians and other citizens, arc engaged in voicing demands for retrenchment in what appears to us altogether too general and sweeping terms. There is talk of a ten per cent reduction all round. This Generalised method of dealing with t-lie problem has its dangers for the reason I but il takes no account, in any in - stance of wlint return is being secured from the expenditure made. Tn general. it is sound business to consider always the results. A branch of activity which is bringing good results pays to he maintained, whilst one where the ciinomie results have dried up is costly even at a moderate expenditure. Instead of retrenchment when on the lines of a goncralisde assumption we consider that greater benefit will accrue from a careful examination of the working of each department, and the application of economy of a specific character over the whole field. First of all it should he considered whether there are not offices existing which are not really required, and from which m. returns are being received. but which were merely the creation of the time when the Dominion’s affairs were nourishing and money was plentiful. The talk about cutting of costs is

brought round to demands fnr a general reduction of' salaries. Tt should he borne in mind that cutting of costs and reduction of wages arc not necessarily identical. It may l>c that both will have to he brought- about hut again we urge that the specific method would he applied in handling this issue. There may he means of reducing costs and reduction of wages are not necessarily identical. Tt may he that both will have lo he brought about hut again we urge that, the specific method should he applied in handling this issue There may he means of reducing costs which will not entail reduction of salaries or an individual hardship. To call for a general reduction of wages on the bald statement that, the financial position is bad will not he regarded by the Labour Organisations as other than a challenge to fight or submit. Tf serious changes have to Is' made then we consider that the matter should he approached by the presentation of candid statements of the actual facts both to accredited representatives of the employees and the general body of citizens. When an open statement of facts is given, evert if the conditions shown entail some general sacrifice, we find that oiir people meet such circumstances fairly, whereas a “stand and deliver demand at once incites discontent. bitterness and class antagonism.

The present tiiuo calls for joint- action therefore wc should avoid what, may load to useless dissension and likodislocation of industry and business. That there is need for studied ex antination into tho position of our public sorvuio wo nre folly convinced. At prou i here are cases of individuals of twelve years’ service dismissed, who. tested bv market results outside, show high qualifications: other eases having reeived £25 to CSO increase in salary we find promoted and another increase given shortly after the first. Records we have seen of rod tape officious procedure on the part, of some officers would earn quick dismissal from any private enmmereinl house. Tn our opinion a small Committee of independent business men eonld do good sendee in indicating specifically where many reductions might, bp mado with advantage to the Service, benefit to the publie and no injustice to any individual. We desire to see tbe retrenchment that is neeessnrv carried out on the most practical, speeifie and independent lines. Not as if we had taken panic and entered on the job as if it was one of serub cutting. The changes found necessary should he effected apart from the personal bins of Official Heads subject to favouritism or discrimination and be governed only by considerations of the public need and good of the service. Discrimination, justice and freedom from personal feeling is what is wanted in effecting such changes ns the needs of economy call for. | (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare I

League)