CIVIL SERVICE ECONOMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1921, Page 5

CIVIL SERVICE ECONOMY.

STATEMENT BY ACTING-PREMIER. MINIMISING UNEMPLOYMENT. B> Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, August 5. Interviewed on the need for economy in the public service, stressed in spechea made at the annual meeting of the A Veilington Chamber of Commerce, Sir Francis Bell said the railway cut announced, which was in course of, preparation long before the speeches referred to were made, shows that the Cabinet recognises the need for economy and is prepared to do what it can in the direction of economising in the Government services.

The difficulty is that all branches of the public service are subject to classification lists, and it will probably require the intervention of Parliament before any great retrenchment can be carried out. In the meantime a certain number of temporary employees, who might have been dispensed with, had been kept on, but it was not a large nuntber, and was principally in connection with various public Works throughout the Dominion. He was keeping public works on at a rat? that he ought not to, having regard to the present financial position, but the Government, in view of the existing unemployment, did not wish to throw men out of work during the winter months, and was utilising the funds at its disposal so as to give as much employment as possible.

In any case, said Sir Francis, the number of these was not large, and did not afford an opportunity for any great retrenchment. When Parliament met the matter would no doubt have to be further considered.