HE S.M.C. ratepayers the summary made by the Treasurer for following communique sets out for the information of
the Finance Committee of the various reductions which were effected in departmental estimates after the submission of preli-minery estimates.
Ratepayers who criticize the Council for extravagance in expenditure are asked to do two things: (1) To recollect that had the exchange value of the dollar not fallen below 8d. municipal income would have balanced municipal expenditure; (2) To ask themselves what reductions in expenditure they would seriously recommend the Council to make. Constructive suggestions dealing with the present are welcome.
The duty of the Council which the ratepayers elect is to carry out efficiently and economically those functions which, are essentia] for the preservation of public security, public order and public health. In regard to amenities, as to necessities, it is for ratepayers to decide what amenities they want and what amenities they wish to pay for. As has already been pointed out in a previous statement, almost every 256 single item of the Council's expenditure has been affected by the fall in the value of the dollar; it is not only a matter of salaries.
The direct effect on the municipal budget of the rising cost of living is strikingly exemplified by the fact that, although as the result of strenuous effort economies totalling over 2 million dollars were effected between the submission of the preli-minery estimates and the final submission of those estimates to the Finance Committee, the rising cost of foodstuffs has very recently necessitated a further provision in the estimates of over 15 lakhs, To meet the cost of feeding prisoners, an ex-borne in other countries not y municipalities but by the State, it has been necessary to provide a further sum (of 6 lakhs, and there has been issued to the lower-paid members of the Chinese staff 4 rice allowance the estimated annual cost of which is 9 lakhs. minor and routine amendments as were found to be necessary beyond the scope of retrenchment proposals:—
Decreases Increase Volunteer Corps 81,180 Fire Brigad 118,640
947.340
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.