REDUCING OVERHEAD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 256, 21 June 1932, Page 4

REDUCING OVERHEAD

The business-like tone adopted by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. A. Ha,milton) in announcing his intention to "get on with the job" of effecting economies in local body government was refreshing. It is to be hoped that the briskness of the Minister's words will be translated with equal briskness into deeds; if that is the case, this recent recruit to Cabinet will have set some of his more experienced colleagues a very useful example. The re-organisation of this Dominion's system of local body government with a view to eliminating overlapping and unnecessary administration costs, is a matter which has long demanded attention, but like many other of the wastage points which have been s^pping the strenghh of this Dominion, it has apparently required the necessities of hard times to compel the Government to recognise the fact. There are over 700 local hodies of different descriptions operating in this Dominion at the present time, and there is no shadow of do.ubt that the cause of economy would be well served by a recluction in the overheacl costs entailed. It would be more encouraging still, however, if attention in this direction was not. restricted solely to local body government; the business of politial government as it is carriecl out in New Zealand could also be extensively curtailed without loss to efficiency. The point has been raised before, and until we have a Hindenburg decree, will possibly be raised again, although whether mere protests will alter the propensity of politicians for confusing the wood with the trees, remains open to doubt. When one is bushed, it is admittedly difficult to keep the wood in perspective. However, the fact that the Government has so far turned its blind eye to the necessity for economies in the legislative organisation does not alter the fact that substantial savings coulcl be effected by reducing overlapping in local body administration, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Hamilton will not permit "I dare not" to wait upon "I will" in "getting on with the job."