The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1932. THE COMMISSIONS REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1932. THE COMMISSIONS REPORT.

The final report of the National itxpandituire Commission which has been made public is a document of mucn interest. The enquiry made by the Commission has been of a very extensive nature, and it lias covered nearly all the spending departments of the public service in very close detail. The lengthy statement submitted has given a mass of information and suggestion wherewith to make a reduction in the public expenditure. .ft the course qf the report the Commissioners state than their investigations in the last five months have left nr' doubt in their minds as to the critical position into which the public finances of the Dominion ha.V"\ drifted, following on. a lengthy period of lavish and often unwise expenditure of loan money too easily obtained. They express the opinion that if equilibrium between national income and expenditure is to he readied, and the paralysing effect.' of over-taxation minimised, dependence upon owmutiS loans for any purpose sho-' 1 ’ cease, desirable social and either s. "ices by the State must he severely curtailed, and tire pruning knifle continue to ho applied to all administrative costs. Every item

of avoidable expenditure must he eliminated. That this will involve hardship on all recipients of salaries, wages, interest, and other income is ine n.table during '■ this period of depression. In the light of past history, they feel assured that the tide will turn sooner- or later, and' the country enjoy a gradual return to comparative prosperity, towards which desirable end the present sacrifices by, and selfdenial of, all classes of the community will have largely contributed. The whole of their recommendations have been considered and submitted in the light of stern necessity, but many of the economies they have recommended should continue ev;n in prosperous times. There are many radical recommendations made for the purpose or reducing the cost of administration, and where such a number of sweeping proposals aire being made there is bound to be what will be considered cases of hardship in many canes. There is a general suggestion to centralise most of the departmental work, and though (this may in some cases cause a reduction in the cost of administration it will in many cases cause much inconvenience and hardship to the general public, and though there is a recognised need for substantial (savings, the people who pay the piper should have some consideration. The report is to be discussed in Parliament during the week, and then it- will be a matter for the Government to decide as to the extent that they will act on the recommendation. of the Cbmmission. Their attitude and decisions will prove of decided interest, and will be eagerly awaited.