OFFICIALDOM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 83, 12 August 1913, Page 5

OFFICIALDOM.

TOO MUCH RED TAPE! The following letter from the Audi-tor-General was read at this morning’s meeting of the Hospital Board Re travelling expenses: I desire to draw your attention to the fact that the payment of fixed sums to members of the Board in lieu of actual expenses supported by details for audit is contrary to law. Ido not now raise the issue as to the reasonableness of the payments in question, but it is my duty to see that the requirements of the statutes are duly observed, and unless the Board for the future confines its travelling expense payments to the sum of detailed vouchers only I shall be compelled to sur charge members jointly and severally with the total of such payments as are made.—Mr Sole thought the Government officials took a grea£ deal of trouble to see into small matters and altogether neglected large ones Recently the chairman of the Wanganui Education Board had attended a conference called by the Government, and now the Government were suing him for the expenses incurred. Ho (Mr Sole) thought that if the presenf course were followed out the Cover ment would have to pay more than at present.—The chairman (Mr Smith) said the country was being run by officialdom. On the train recently ho had to show his ticket seven times in six miles. In the end ho said to the guard: “For goodness sake, take the ticket for good!” The country was getting to be just the same as Russia.—T liesecretary said at present the total amount of expenses for five members was £2 17s 6d.—Mr Sole thought the Government should he informed that the expenses at present charged were as reasonable as possible. —lt was finally decided to “receive” the letter.