Inefficiency: Relief
p. 71 · Read in the full issue
Charges Of W. Samoan Inefficiency: Relief Expected At Last
From an Apia Correspondent For years there has been iblic criticism of the inefficiency d financial chaos of some moan Government depart snts. Before the arrival of
ibinet Government, little had
en done to investigate matters
oroughly.
fOWEVER, the Government is L expected to take stringent measures to cope with a ailar situation which has re itly been revealed in a report the Controller and Auditor meral of New Zealand. [t is understood Cabinet will in duce an efficient system of con >l and supervision which is long srdue. It is certainly essential at is time, when Western Samoa is preaching the day of full inde ndence. rhe Auditor-General’s report is West Samoa’s public accounts • 1959. The report was tabled at i last session of the Legislative sembly, and submitted to a special blic accounts committee. This nmittee has made recommenda ns to the Government on dealing :h the situation.
Frank Criticism
rhe report contains some out )ken criticism. It points out the )rtcomings of various Govern nt departments, going back a gthy period. These shortcomings ve meant an appreciable financial s to Samoa. rhe report says that Treasury tements submitted to the Audit ice have been incomplete, and : in accordance with regulations, ere have been no accounts for eipts from Government business itures such as the electric power leme, radio licences and post ce development charges.
Tor was any balance sheet, and :ome and Expenditure account ipared, presumably because the jasury was unable to cope with i task. (The Audit Office makes ! point that the efficiency of le major public services is gravely Bcted by the lack of experienced ounting staff.) ?he Health Department is iicised for confusion and failure charging for services rendered to : public; and for lack of super ion, resulting in leakages and
The Public Works Department has not published balance sheets for 12 years, and independent stocktakers last year criticised the department for negligence and lack of control in its stores. Deterioration of stocks resulted in a large write-off. - As from November 1, every bicycle in the Cook Islands must bear an official number plate costing 5/- and is liable for an annual registration fee of 2/6. There is still no charge on horses.