Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9415, 8 April 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY, APRIL 8,1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE proposal of the Premier to allow the local bodies to themselves undertake the work of valuation is a step in the right direction. There is no doubt“whatever that phe valuation by Government officials has not given general satisfaction. It has, for instance, been a common complaint that too little has been allowed for improvements. The has also been mainlv responsible for the inflated values of land, and the consequent handicap of the land user. It has been more advantageous to the land speculator than to the genuine settler. But, if the local bodies are to do their own valuations, why retain the costly “Valuation Department? Surely the local bodies may be trusted to fix fair valuations, especially as it is intended to provide that their valuers must hold certifioates'of competency.

OP course the last thing the Premier would think of would be to reduce the salaries of Ministers and members. But, as the departments are to be reduced in number from 37 to 16, why not make a proportionate reduction in the number of Ministers? Only recently their number was increased, and at that time the Premier must have known 'that he would be forced to adopt a policy of economy. We trust the House will assist him to effect far greater economies than those he has proposed. We are spending far too much on the work of government, and maintaining too large an army of inspectors and other officials. It is pointed out by a contemporary that if the number of Ministers in Great Britain bore the same ratio to the population as is the case in this country, nearly 400 men would attend „a meeting of Cabinet.

PERHAPS it is hopeless to expect members of Parliament to be truly patriotic, otherwise they might be asked to support a proposal to reduce their number, and thus effect considerable saving. But it is unquestionable that a dozen members for each Island would be able to do all that is required, and an Upper House of a score would be more than enough. In practice it is always found that the smaller the number on a committee the better will the work be done, and with fewer members in the House we might reasonably expect better results. The reduction would also tend to the benefit of the people, because there would be greater community of interests entrusted to’ each,member. For instance there is no reason Why, say Messrs Newman, Guthrie, and Snick, could not look after the interests of the whole district from Otaki to Wanganui, especially as there would then be less clashing of interests.

IT wonld be noticed from a Press Association telegram in last issue, that some of those occupying high positions in gthe Civil Service now feel free to express the opinion that it has been greatly over-staffed and that it will do better and more efficient work when its numbers are reduced. Sir Joseph’s indication that the drones most be driven out of the public service hive is having its effect. It may be asked why, if these officials knew that a large sum was being wasted annually, they did not make the fact known. But it is not the custom foe any official staff to object to an increase of its number. The tendency is rather to encourage the addition of others.

THE people of Mangaweka are in rather an unfortunate position with regard to their proposed drainage an i waterworks, as their desire for progress is blocked by the impossibility of raising the £4OOO required for the work. Under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, the Rangitikei Council can borrow only £6OOO in one year, and this year nothing like this amount will bo available owing to tbe fact that £1330, which should have been handed over to the Council by Government la»t year, was not paid and will have to come ont of this year’s borrowing. A consider-

able amount of this stun is required for the Kawhatan bridge, and £6OO more will be deeded to complete that work, so that out of a possible £6OOO that may be. borrowed £1390 is already disposed of. To give Mangaweka £4OOO of the balance would leave £6lO as the absolute maximum available for roads and bridges in the whole of the County, a position which would be most unsatisfactory to many deserving back-block settlers. The only possible . method of raising the money required would be for Mangaweka to elect a Town Board and borrow the money on debentures guaranteed by Government under the amended Act of 1908. As the rate of interest under this Act may not exceed per cent, it is practically certain that at present even this resource would fail. Moreover, the rates would be considerably higher than if the money could be borrowed at 3)4 per cent, under the Loans to Local Bodies Act. We fear that under the circumstances Mangaweka will have to wait for a more favourable opportunity for borrowing.