The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7th, 1921. THE ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7th, 1921. THE ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.

Bukinuw men in Wellington an' continning their agitation for the production of the report of the Kconomieß Committee set lip by the Government during tin* recess, with ;i view to ascertaining what savings could bo effected in the Public Service, without impairing its efficiency. Sufficient information concerning the contents ol the report has leaked out to make it plain that it is a very comprehensive and valuable document. The 'Prime Minister himself indeed has described it in those very terms. But having taken a month or two to think over tin* matter, Mr Massey has withdrawn his promise to submit the report to the House of Representatives on the score that much of the information it contains is confidential and could not. in fairness to the persons concerned, he published broadcast. As, we have said before there is no desire anywhere for the indiscriminate distribution of information obtained under the sea| of confidence. 'But surely a committee composed mainly of heads of Departments with the whole details of the Public Service at its disposal, would not depend upon confidential information 'vlwh could be men:

tinned to the A 1 inister himself only with bated breath, for the preparation

„f jts report. So little does the public credit this excuse for with-holding the document, that it is speculating freely as to the real reason for the Minister's reticence. It is generally mi . derstood that the Committee recommended economies amounting to just upon five millions, which it declaied could be effeted speedily and without impairing the efficiency of the service in the slightest decree. Mr Massey's proposal's in this direction are not very lucid, but they certainly do not contemplate a saving of more than 1 1 millions, and even that over an extended period. Tt is stated in Wellington, with some appearnce of authority, that the civil servants through their organisation have heen making very trank representations to the Prune Minister mi tin- subject and that lie hu„ heen compelled to listen hy the very exigencies of the position. Tt' this really is so, it makes it all the more Important that the taxpayers should know exactly where they stand in this matter. The suggestion is that they are providing five millions a year more than is necessary for the maintenance of the service, and they ought to have the whole of the evidence before them in order that they might say intelligently, whether or not the imposition of this huge burden is inevitable. This ot all times in the history of the Dominion is one where there should be pci feet, candour between Government and the public.