POLITICAL NOTES.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 67, 27 August 1917, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ■ .....' i WELLINGTON, August 24. The . resignation of the Efficiency Board is still undecided. The members of this board have undoubtedly a just cause of grievance. They were busy men who had their own businesses to look after. At the request of the Government they agreed to give the . country the benefit of their great business abilities. The order of reference •given to them by. the Governor is very wide, and has conferred great'powers upon the .members of the board. In fact, it is questionable whether they had not the right to demand that their recommendations bo given legislative effect. The Government has decided that there cannot be two kings in "Brentford. It will not give legislative effect to the board's recommendations, and will not agree even to accept the recommendations without alteration, which, I understand, in some cases the Government has done, much to the" annoyance of the board. By the Government making alterations in its reports ■the board is made to appear to have recommended certain .things which it, had not done. Much of the muddle has arisen through the two chiefs being out of the country when the order of reference was made. They are not prepared to endorse the order of reference; and the other members of the Government join them in' the belief that the board's functions should be curtailed. The members of the board will not put up with this, so they have handed in their resignations, and will, 1 believe, go. out of office." This fact, however, will not entail the Boards of Trustees for the management of soldiers' estates ceasing to exist. These will, 1 understand, in the" great majority of cases 'continue. "These boards of trustees will be of great importance to the community as time goes on. It is a pity, however, that the Efficiency Board has not continued, and that the 'Government did not see its way to adopt and give effect to the board's recommendations. 'The board is not hampered by the need of votes; it is composed of men of Standing in the business world, and has a thorough knowledge of what is likely to benefit the community. The Government appears to thin-k that the board cannot assist it to any great extent. However much this may injure the best interests of the community, there is no way to set matters right, and the services of these very able men will have to be parted with. The Cost of Living Committee which was set up last week has got to work. Additional names have been added to it,"'and\it is ,very large and unwieldy body. ".In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom," is an old saying, which has great authority; but in practice the larger the body the less the progress. It is just possible that this committee may be the exception that proves the rule. Mr Massey has stated publicly that he looks for much help from the committee. He may have cause for this remark) but that cause is not apparent to the general public. It certainly will enable- the members of the committee to appreciate the difficulties which surround the subject, and that may convince them that it is easier to talk than bring about a practical solution of the problem. The committee is a good one, and has the advantage of the legal mind of Mr C. Statham as chairman. Dr Newman made one of his most entertaining and at the same time critical speeches in the 'House on Thursday night. The doctor has the faculty of making his remarks light, but at the same time telling. The Government did not like his criticism. They were directed at the most vulnerable of the joints in their armour, and were for the most part welt deserved. The National Government, in the doctor's opinion, is a necessary evil which must be endured on account of the war, but which must be duly spanked to keep it in order. The feeling of most members lies in the same direction, although they may not be able to express their views in such terse English. But, as Mr 'Hemes pointed out in a speech delivered some months ago at the annual meeting of the Chambers of Commerce, the National Government was set up to do unpalatable things, and it would not be fulfilling its mission if it did not do . them. The Inscribed Stock Bill as it passed, the House of Representatives at the request of the Financial Treasurer was not to the liking of the Legislative Councih Once again the country has cause to be thankful that it has a bicameral system in its legislature. Hon. 0» Samuel, of New Plymouth, had had experience with the . bonds issued by the Treasury for the last loan. He therefore examined the Bill with great care and consulted bankers regarding its provisions. He found that /the Bill did- not give the powers it was supposed to confer. The Bill was referred to a committee of the Council, and in the form in which it has passed the Council it will be a very valuable measure. The inscribed stock cannot be lost, and will be available for security for loans at the banks whenever required by the registered owner. This furnishes another proof of the wisdom of maintaining the two chambers. It is a.common practice for radical politicians to fulminate against the Upper House. But there can be no doubt that it has its uses. * The Police Eeport which was presented to Parliament last week shows that there has been a distinct falling off in the arrests for drunkenness. Whether this is a result of the antishouting regulations cannot be definitely ascertained. It would, however, be a reasonable inference for prohibitionists to draw. An interesting problem in proportion would be: If antiphouting results in a yearly diminution $t 5435 io the number of charges for

drunkenness, what reduction would follow total prohibition? Still, it is somewhat remarkable that, although there has been a diminution, in the arrests since there has been anti-shouting regulations and, other restrictions, there has been a large increase in the total value of the liquor consumed. Mr C. J. Parr made a vigorous attack upon General Godley on Friday afternoon. 'He claimed that the general is hated by all ranks of the service. Mr Parr is fresh from the front, where he had' full opportunity to obtain information, and his statements may therefore be taken as worthy of weight. Most people will agree with the assertion of the member for Eden that no general can obtain the.best from his ar-my if lie is personally held in detestation. " In all probability the charges made by Mr Parr, and largely supported by Mr Jennings, will have effect, and the imperial Government will remove General Godley to another sphere of action where his'services may be better appreciated. Mr Harris (member for Waitemata) referred to a most important subject last Friday night.. He quoted figures to show that'the birth-rate is falling very seriously, and then proceeded to make some trenchant references to the means adopted by people to prevent the birthrate from reaching a normal status. He called upon the Government to take action • and penalise those who adopt such unspeakable practices. It is questionable whether Mr Harris' protest •will have any effect, but whether that be the case or not he has done his part as a legislator by drawing attention in an emphatic manner to one of the great cancers in the body politic.