From the book "I've been thinking" (1996) by New Zealand politician Richard Prebble:
"The Post Office told me they were having terrible problems tracking telephone lines ... They found an excellent program in Sweden which the Swedes were prepared to sell them for $2m .... So the managers decided to budget $1m for translating into English and another $1m for contingencies.
... But, as the general manager explained, it had turned out to be more expensive than the contingency budget allowed and they needed another $7m
"How much", I asked, "have you spent on it so far?"
"Thirty-seven million dollars" was the reply.
"Why don't we cancel the programme?" I asked
"How can we cancel a programme that has cost $37m?" they asked
"Do you believe the programme will ever work?" I asked
"No, not properly"
"Then write me a letter recommending its cancellation and I will sign it"
The relief was visible. I signed the letter, but I knew I needed new managers."
