B.—4a,

General. 398. As a result of our investigations into the capital expenditure from the Public Works Fund in connection with tourist and health resorts, and after reviewing the expenditure provided under this subdivision out of the Consolidated Fund, covering operating-costs of the various resorts, we are forced to the conclusion that the expenditure, both capital and revenue, has been too lavish and not justified by the results. 399. It is impossible to assess the total savings which would accrue from the disposal of the various resorts, but the saving in operating-costs alone would be considerable. Booking-offices. 400. The expenditure in connection with booking-offices and tourist bureaux operated by the Department is provided from this subdivision. 401. The operations for the year ended 31st March, 1931, in respect of passenger-booking showed a loss of £4,735, and this is considered to be quite disproportionate to the value of the service. 402. There are passenger-booking agencies at Auckland, Wanganui, RotorUa, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Until recently there was an office at Nelson, but this has been closed. This activity largely duplicates services already in existence. We recommend that the Tourist offices be closed, and that the work be left to the Railway Department and interested organizations. The Railway Department has a highly organized administration which should enable it to efficiently cater for travellers and protect its own interests. This should result in a direct saving of £4,700. Publicity. 403. The accounts for 1930-31 disclose that the total cost of publicity for that year was £22,428. 404. The necessity for an efficient publicity service is recognized, and no doubt good work has been done in this direction. We have noted, however, that there is a tendency to undue extravagance in the publications advertising the various tourist and health resorts, and there appears to be ample scope for economy in this connection. 405. We recommend that the publicity service be reduced in cost by at least 25 per cent., or a saving of £5,500. Saving, £5,500. Subdivision lll.—Census and Statistics. 406. The Census and Statistics Branch, which was formerly under the administration of the Department of Internal Affairs, was transferred to the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist, and Publicity during last year. 407. The following statement shows the amounts expended in connection with this Branch during the last four years : — £ 1928-29 .. .. .. .. .. .. 34,479 1929-30 .. .. .. .. .. .. 33,906 1930-31 .. .. .. .. .. .. 30,098 1931-32 .. .. .. .. .. .. 21,488 408. The reduction shown above is mainly due to the tapering-off of the work following the 1926 census and the postponement of the 1932 census. 409. It is noted that the staff employed in this branch numbers seventy-six, and we are of opinion that some reduction in the personnel should be effected, even if this results in reducing to some extent the statistical information supplied in the Department's publications. The vote for this subdivision for 1932 33 should not exceed £17,500. Saving, £4,000. 410. We also wish to refer to the publications of this Branch of the Department, and particularly the " New Zealand Official Year-book," the " Local Authorities Hand-book," and the " Monthly Abstract of Statistics." The revenue from the sales of these publications is relatively insignificant, partly because a very large number are distributed free of cost. We consider that the free list should be overhauled, with a view to reducing gratuitous issues to a minimum. We also recommend that the selling-price be increased in order to minimize the loss, as there appears to be no reason why such a large proportion of the cost of preparation and printing should devolve upon the general taxpayer. 411. We are of opinion that some savings can certainly be effected by more careful discrimination in the published matter. There is much that could be deleted. General. 412. Many of the recommendations herein will result in considerable savings, particularly those connected with tourist and health resorts.

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