CO129-541-2 Estimates 1931 14-10-1932 - 19-7-1934 — Page 334

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are many where circumstances combine to prevent the expenditure of the money allocated to this or that

object, and among the desirables work may be postponed

at any rate till late in the year owing to difficulties,

such as change of site or questions of accommodation

required or of design. It is in fact hardly possible to complete a programme of this size precisely according to a very definite plan, and a margin of variation is called for; and hence a margin of saving in fact a

slightly inflated estimate is unavoidable.

Considerations such as the se, invariable under-expenditure which cannot be estimated for, will justify calling the Account balanced when mathematics would not justify the word. But all the expenditure allowed for must be at the lowest desirable" and must at its total figure be

within our means and the Government holds that the

proposals now before the Council fulfil these

requirements.

If

A word on the other side of the problem.

necessity compels, as it did when the dollar sank to 1/- and below, it is possible to reduce certain departmental expenditure and some Public Works. It is granted that this can only be done by a certain risk of efficiency as e.g. by reducing travelling and other allowances, or

but by lowering the standard of the upkeep of roads necessity may compel, as it has done before. The Treasurer is standing by with his blue pencil as he

notes