NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 105, 3 May 1917, Page 6

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

BOARD'S SERIOUS PROBLEMS. OUR ARMY OF WORKERS. CLASSIFICATION IN HAND.. PREPARING FOR CONTINGENCIES. Discussing the work of the National Efficiency Board this morning, Mr. J. H. Gunson, who is a member of the Commission, remarked: "During itß time the Commission has inquired into several questions, an important point of inquiry being that in relation to luxuries. These inquiries arc all leading up, with the continuance of the war, to a classification and organisation of the man power ot the Dominion—in other words, for two and a-half years the fighting forces have been well organised, but the consequent drain has been such that it will be imperative at a very early date to organise the home army. This" will become very clearly defined. There will be two armies of workers—the fighting force and the industrial army — and the former will be dependent* on the successful efforts of the latter. The people of this country do not. yet realise the seriousness of the position. We have been wonderfully fortunate in the matter of conditions generally, especially in view of the fact that we arc 12.000 miles away from the seat of war. The Government, in short, have succeeded splendidly in securing a continuance of the shipping services to this distant portion of the Empire. There is every indication now, however, —indeed, it has been apparent for some time—that the position is rapidly becoming more acute, owing to the increased submarine activities, and the developing position will )> e seriously felt in the Dominion. We ail hope that it will not mean a .serious withdrawal of vessels from the New Zealand trade, but at the best tbe position will be nothing like so good as it has been. The community should be prepared to face this by any sacrifice and personal effort that may be required in the future." DIFFICULTIES TO FACE. "The beet means of obtaining tbe maximum efficiency will be found in ready co-operation and consent to all that may subsequently be thought necessary in the way of reorganisation. The general function of the Efficiency Hoard at the present time is to move along sound lines with the view of advising the Government as to how this can be best effected. The question is a very responsible one. for it must be perfectly obvious that it would be most unwise and unwarranted tp interfere with men engaged, even at the present time, in non-essential industries unless there were some immediate occupation of an essential class to which they could be diverted. It is easy for opinions to lie expressed as to what ought to be done in this or that direction, but it is another question when responsibility is concerned. The Board has realised the necessity for completing its machinery, and its best efforts are being assiduously directed to this end. While wo all hope that 1017 will see the end of the Avar, yet we have, as a matter of necessity, to proceed on the assumption that the requirements of the present situation will be long continued." COMPREHENSIVE PLAN READY. "Just on the same principle that men for military service arc not called up until they are wanted in camp, so in connection with industries and occupations generally the Efficiency Board can do nothing by way of report to the Government or in any other direction which involves radical changes until the time is ripe. To that end a most comprehensive plan has been worked out. and in due time I hope the work of the Board will be productive of some tangible result. Up to date there is already abundant evidence that the Trustee Boards throughout the country in connection with soldiers' farms are rendering splendid service. Because the Board has not accepted a large number of trusts it must not be thought that it is inoperative. As a matter of fact the best work lias been rendered in arranging with voluntary workers, neighbours, and others for the management and in several eases tbe sale of farms to suitable individuals. All this is being done in furtherance of the interests of the State with the view of maintaining as far as possible the output of our primary products."