WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1921, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. DISCUSSES ITSELF. *. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Oct. 26.. Last night the Post and Telegraph Department, which has been much discussed lately in connection with the Government’s various economising activities, was discussing itself, as it were. The occasion was the smoke concert, forms part of the entertainment extended to the delegates attending the annual conference of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, and the incentive a desire to let the public know the Department was fully alive to what was going on in the world. The speakers all had good advice to offer the Government, and though the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-General were not there to receive it in person, it doubtless will be communicated to them in due course. The men’s representative on the Promotion Board spoke strongly in favor of the revival of the regulations providing for the reward of special ability. The Secretary doubted the wisdom of substituting young men for old; the AssistantSecretary announced that the average salary in the service had risen since 1911-12 from £l6O to £247 per annum, and other officers deprecated the retirement of officers in the prime of life, demanded political rights for civil servants, and hinted at the Association joining the Alliance of Labor. LOCAL BODIES. the Local Bodies’ Finance Bill, introduced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, obtained its seconnd reading in the House last night, it was not till the Minister had promised to set up a committee to report upon the measure before it was carried further. From all parts of the House came suggestions that the Bill had been introduced at the instigation of the banks with the set purpose of compelling the local bodies to pay overdraft rates for such temporary accommodation as they might requiqp instead of accepting deposits at lower rates. Sir John Luke, Wellington’s “War Mayor,” whose attachment to the Government no one ever doubts, was one of the most scatching critics of the Bill, while Mr. R. A. Wright, his successor in the mayoral chair, was among its few fervid supporters. Much of the opposition, to the measure came from the Government’s side the House, and though Mr. Massey assisted his colleague in bringing his supporters into line it was only the promise . of a committee that averted a prolonged wrangle. It is a tradition of the House chat members, knowing more about local government than they do about national government, always are ready to make the former a bone of contention. J

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.

It is understood now that the Government’s proposals in regard to economies in the public service will not he fully disclosed till the Financial Statement is brought down. Meanwhile speculation as to the nature of the proposals continues, and many suggestions on the subject are being offered to the Government. There is a growing feeling outside Parliament that Ministers will require ail the assistance that can be given them by the. public in reconciling the members of the House to the necessary cut in the public expenditure. The economies Mr. Massey has indicated, even if they arc taken at their face value, some million and a half or so, would not nearly meet the needs of the situation. Five millions is the amount mentioned by business men as the least amouht that* would justify any substantial reduction in taxation. The task of reducing the annual expenditure by this amount will be congenial to neither Ministers nor members, and unless the former are assured of the earnest support of the public it never will be ac- J complished.

CUSTOMS TARIFF REVISION.

The impending Customs tariff revision was mentioned in the House yesterday, Mr. Edward Newman, the piember for Manawatu, wanting to know whether the Government’s proposals would be in the direction of revenue or protection. Mr. Massey, of course, could not give the House any undieation of the bent of the proposals he had >n contemplation, but he assured Mr. Newman the Government was ‘‘out of revenue,” and offered no objection an interjection suggesting it was seeking *‘ a mixture of the two.” The general impression in the House and amujrg business men is that the revised tariff will im pose largely increased duties on luxuries of ad including such “necessaries of life as spirits and motor cars, and will make very few suggestions of any sort. There 1S a pistihon before the House from .he Flour M.llers Association, asking for increased duties on flour and wheat, but in the lobbies it is not thought this prayer for further protection will appeal just now e»en to a farmers’ Parliament. The millers are popularly supposed to have' done teiy well out of the Subsidies, and the disP °?l 011 .°s f n ?™ bers - is t 0 teli them to rest and be thankful.