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"I am inclined to think that many things could be done here and in other Provincial capitals that are not being done in Ottawa," added the speaker, stating that one of the most impressive features of the ad-- ministrative system in Britain was the decentralization of administra-- tive staffs. "It would be an inspiration to the public if Governments decreased staffs and did not increase them as they are increasing, especially at Ottawa, at this time. we have the same appearance ol" Government authority as we have | before." Practicaily every duty of| the Provincial Department of Labor falls under the control of the Do--. minion Government, he said in ex--| ample. HMe suggested Provincial: labor supervision might be merged with another department. "There is no justification for so many Ministers, all dressed up and no place to go," said Colonel Drew. In spite of the fact that taxing and other authorities were trans-- ferred to the Dominion in the agreement ratified recently, "still Specifically, he suggested that the Hepburn Minister should set up some consultation body in co--oper-- ation with the Dominion "to make specific allocation of funds for maintaining those highways which may be designated as war high-- ways. That being a war job,." stressed Licutenant--Colornel Drew, "the special maintenance for war purposes should come from a gen-- eral war fund." The Opposition Leadetr's address opened on a demand for economy "I believe the most important thing that the Province can do is to practice economy itself and demon-- strate that economy in its own rela-- tions with the public.' Charging the Ontario Govern-- ment with false economy in its policy of slashing maintenance sub-- sidies for county and township roads, Conservative Leader Drew, in the budget debate yesterday, pressed Highways Minister T. B. McQuesten to seek Federal co--oper-- ation in securing funds for the up-- keep of such roads as are subject to damage through the allocation of war industries. ASKS OTTAWA HELP MAINTAIN WAR HIGHWAYS Demand for Economy Is Voiced by Drew During Budget Debate APRIL 10 \__"They are the essential arteries 'in the nation's war production pro-- |gram," he said, "and neglect to !maintain them --might prove a | bottleneck in the war effort, by en-- 'dangering human life and impeding the transportation of essential sup-- plies." Of roads.subsidies he said, "There have been drastic cuts this year which I do not believe have been made in the interests of economy and may seriously endanger the financial situation of our communi-- ties." He cited one township which last year spent $18,200 in road main-- tenance which this year has been cut to $5,200. '"That looks like econ-- omy at the moment, but it will be reflected back on the municipali-- ties, The counties will have to either go ahead and maintain the roads or allow the roads to de-- teriorate." Colonel Drew applauded the High-- way Minister for having withdrawn that section of a bill to amend the Department of Municipal Affairs Act which would place wide super-- visory powers over municipalities with the department. The threat to road maintenance and, indirectly, to municipal fi-- nances, was deplored also by W, L. Milléer (Lib., Algoma) and E. _A. MacGillivray (Lib., Glengarry). "It is to be hoped devoutly," said the latter, "that the Province's highway system will not be allowed to suffer. It is the duty of the Government and the employers of labor to get together and prepare plans for the immediate postwar years, as there will be a great demand for employ-- ment as soon as the war is over William Duckworth (Cons., Toronto Dovercourt) stated upon resuming the budget debate at the evening session. He said that plans should be made for developing the large natural resources of Canada, includ-- ing timber, coal, oil and many kinds of minerals, and for which there will be a keen demand. Another matter which needs con-- sideration and action, he said, is the export of farm produce after the war. With British farmers cul-- tivating much more land now than before the war, there will be a lesser demand for Canadian farm products in England.