SUBSTANTIAL ADVOCATED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1940, Page 2

SUBSTANTIAL ADVOCATED

MR COBBE ON JUDICIOUS ECONOMY. ITEMS THAT MIGHT BE CUT OUT. IBy Telegraph—Press Association J WELLINGTON. This Day. The opinion that the estimated expenditure on public works could be reduced by £10.000.000 without causing serious loss or inconvenience was expressed in the House of Representatives last night by Mr Cobbe (Opposition, Manawatu). He said that even if this reduction were made the amount still remaining would bo equal to the expenditure in 1935-30, which was a particularly prosperous year. Public money, said Mr Cobbe. should be spent judiciously. There were many works which could be deferred till a more appropriate time, some of them for years. Many people in the Dominion were of opinion that had more prudent financial methods been adopted during the past few years most of the extra taxation being levied today would not be required. The excessive expenditure of normal times was absolutely unjustified and inexcusable in times of crisis. This was not a time for spending money on works that were not absolutely necessary. Mr Cobbe said the Government was using the war as a smokescreen for its failures in financial affairs. The nation was ready to do its share, but its work had been made more difficult by the romantic financial methods of the Government. He suggested a number of items of public works expenditure which could well be deferred These included: The Palmerston North railway deviation, £90,000; the commercial broadcasting buildings in Auckland, £60,000; the Internal Marketing building in Auckland, £80,000; departmental buildings in Auckland. £lOO,000; and tourist resorts, £20.000. Mr Cobbe also criticised the proposal to spend £4,000,000 on housing.