8.
394
nates of expenditure has been an anxious task. It
has been stated that the correct course.in these
difficult times is "to take the short view but plan long". The Government's interpretation of this principle has been that we should refrain as far as possible from interfering with those essential ser- vices on which the health, security and general well-
being of the community depend, and should seek re-
trenchment in the curtailment of capital expenditure
on public works which, however desirable in themselves, can be postponed with less detriment than would follow from retrenchment in the organizations which look after the general welfare of the Colony. We wish to retai
our govermental machine as little impaired as possible
so that we may be ready to move forward as soon as in- proved circumstances permit.
There
The estimated expenditure for 1935 exclusive of Public Works Extraordinary and the final payment for the Haval Arsenal Yard is $28,976,652 a reduction of $774,093 from the approved estimates for 1934. are reductions on twenty-three out of the thirty- throo heads concerned, and where there are increases
they are due to demands which the Government felt
wable to resist. I shall deal with some of the se
increases in more detail in a later part of my remarks. A slump does not necessarily mean less work in Govern - ment Departments and indeed in some cases it increases
their work. My Honourable friend the Colonial Treasurer