THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1909. WHOLESALE RETRENCHMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3154, 3 April 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1909. WHOLESALE RETRENCHMENT.

The important speech delivered last evening at the Upper Hutt by Sir Joseph Ward will be received with general approbation throughout the Dominion. The work of retrenchment is excessively unpleasant whether it be performed by either a public or a private employer, but in hard times it is necessary in the interests of all. The Premier knows that the real welfare of the Dominion depends to a considerable extent upon a substantial reduction in the cost o£ the administration of the country, and it is evident that he is determined to unflinchingly face the position. For years past it has been patent to®the unbiassed and thoughtful political thinker that despite the phenomenal prosperity of the country there were j far too many public departments, and the enormous expense of.maintaning them was much in excess of what was either prudent or unavoidable. The policy of the Premier—the new regime—if carried out with a firm hand will do much towards restoring confidence in the Government. and should tend to improve the position of Now Zealand in the London money market. The Premier cannot be fairly blamed for the extravagance of past years, which has largely brought about the unmistakable need for retrenchment. Sir Joseph must have found his position a difficult one when he assumed the Premiership, and "the slump" has no douht assisted hi,ll to come to a conclusion as to the policy to bs pursued. From a purely party political point of view the Premier must recognise that the situation is becoming very dangerous, and wo venture to say that the Government are of opinion that they must either pursue a policy,of drastic retrenchment in departmental expenses or run the risk of quitting office in the near future.