B.—4A,

984. The Act provides for the setting-up of an Assessment Court, which is in the nature of an Appeal Court, and if the decision of the Appeal Court be not accepted the owner should have the option to require the Government to purchase the property within one year, or reduce the valuation at the conclusion of that term in conformity with his valuation which would then be established. 985. The amendment should provide that the respective parties should have the right to withdraw or purchase at any time during the period of one year. 986. We recommend that the law be amended in this direction. 987. In general, this Department is economically administered. The following items would, however, appear to be capable of reduction: — Item—Postage, Telegrams, &0., £1,100. 988. This should be reduced by at least £250. Saving, £250. Item—Travelling Allowances and Expenses, £6,400. 989. As the volume of work should be falling off, a reduction of £400 in this item should be possible. Saving, £400. 990. The savings as a result of the foregoing recommendations as far as they can be assessed are as follow : — £ (1) Increased fees from State Advances Office.. .. .. .. 3,000 (2) Increased fees from Land and Income Tax Department and local authorities 2,400 (3) Savings in items on vote .. .. .. .. .. 650 £6,050 VOTE—ELECTORAL DEPARTMENT. 991. This is a separate vote, which is now under the control of the Department of Justice, the Permanent Head of which is directly responsible for the Electoral Department. 992. In 1931-32 the total amount appropriated was £69,218, but provision was therein made for the expenses of a general election. The sum of £6,000 should suffice for 1932-33. Saving, £63,218. VOTE—DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 993. There have been various changes in the constitution of the Department of Agriculture since 1914-15, particularly in the direction of extended services, consequently a comparison of the expenditure in that year with the present expenditure is rendered somewhat difficult. 994. The following statement will, however, illustrate in general terms the extent to which the expenditure has increased. In 1914-15 the Department of Industries and Commerce was amalgamated with the Department of Agriculture, and to that extent the comparison of the cost of the Head Office organization is misleading. Similarly, there are various items now appearing under the heading " Miscellaneous services " in the present vote which did not appear in the appropriations for 1914-15.

995. While expenditure under the heading of " Othet charges " has increased considerably there has also been an increase of over 100 per centum in salaries. The personnel of the Department has increased from 404 in 1914-15 to 727 in 1931-32. 996. As the duties of the Department are largely instructional and inspectorial, and since the services given have been'largely increased over a period of years, the increase in the numerical strength of the staff can be understood. It is essential that there must be a drastic reduction in the expenditure

102

1914-15. 1930-31. Subdivision. „ , _ , Salaries. Total, j Salaries. Total. _ £ £ £ £ £ £ I. Head Office .. .. .. 13,573 109,808 123,381 35,752 32,553 68,305 II. Live Stock Division .. .. 32,757 14,463 47,220 95,459 40,527 135,986 III. Horticulture Division .. .. 6,765 4,978 11,743 19,550 10,638 30,188 IV. Dairy Division .. .. .. 10,246 4,710 14,956 50,323 15,538 65,861 V. Fields Division .. .. .. 29,866 63,177 93,043 31,651 22,012 53,663 VI. Miscellaneous services .. .. .. .. .. .. 127,720 127,720 290,343 481,723 Less credits-in-aid .. .. .. .. 83,612 .. .. 93,446 Net expenditure .. .. .. .. 206,731 .. .. 388,277