ECONOMIC ADVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 10, 12 January 1934, Page 2

ECONOMIC ADVICE.

BUREAU OF INDUSTRY. QUEENSLAND EXPERIMENT. "CHEAP AND AUTHORITATIVE" Since 1930 the Government of Queensland hus been advised regularly and constantly in economic matters by a permanent council of experts appointed specially for the purpose. The director of this advisory department (called in Brisbane the "Bureau of Industry"), Mr. J. B. Brigden, passed through Christcliurch this week. Ho is on a holiday tour of New Zealand. The bureau was established originally in 1930 by the Moore anti-Labour Government as a bureau of economics and statistics, with the object of assisting Ministers in all economic investigations, eaid Mr. Brigden in an interview to the "Press." With the obligation of reporting direct to Parliament, Mr. Brigden at that time occupied a position similar in etatus to that of the Auditor-General. In June, 1932, a new Government came into office after the elections, and shortly afterwards the bureau was organised as a bureau of industry, with a permanent personnel of 15. The members of the Department comprised men appointed directly by the Government, but representing each section of the industrial community—commercial interests, primary and secondary industries, and the trade unions, as well as the chief executives of the Public Service. The Premier (Mr. Forgan Smith) accepted the presidency of the council, and Mr. Brigden was reappointed chief director and chief executive officer. A Permanent Commission. Acting just like a permanent royal commission, the council continued to advise the Government on any matters referred to it. The power of co-option was conferred on the bureau, and members were appointed ad hoc, the extreme flexibility of the machinery permitting experts to be consulted whenever the occasion .arose. The bureau generally functioned in three main groups. The first dealt with rural development, the second with public works, and the third with assistance to industries. Under the Queensland legislative system it was possible to grant assistance to infant industries and to industries new to the State. This was done chiefly by bank advances or the advancement of other loan money on conditions requiring a mortgage or some security in the usuaj business way. Each case I was thoroughly investigated by the bureau or by a committee of the bureau. More recently etill the bureau had been constituted a borrowing authority, with all the status of a local authority or public body, with powers to establish funds, build/and construct. This step was taken with the immediate purpose of building a toll bridge over the Brisbane River. The Premier and Ministers of Queensland had found the bureau extremely useful. When the council was originally set up there had been the usual outburst of scepticism, but three years' working had given the bureau a generous measure of support. "The Government, of course, • does not do everything it is advised," said Mr. BrigdeiL, with a smile. "But no Government ever does. It is not my place to express an opinion as to the ultimate value of such a Department in any Government. That would be construed as blowing my own trumpet. But I can say that the working of the bureau has been a very interesting experiment. It has established itself as a comparatively cheap and authoritative advisory board enjoying the confidence of the Ministry and the Premier." Unemployment Relief. The bureau had been particularly useful in advising ways and means of using money for unemployment relief. It was very convenient for the Government to have a Department prepared and able to proffer expert advice in local matters and questions which did conflict with principles of policy. Public works construction offered a good example. The council aimed at planning public works expenditure so as to avert uneconomic expenditure and sporadic bursts of activity. In such matters the Government was generally prepared to listen to advice. The bureau also did useful work in linking up the various public Departments, acting as a co-ordinating authority. Public servants from all Departments served on the bureau special committees. There had been no means before the bureau was established of bringing the various services together.