EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 4

EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRY.

DISCUSSION BY INDUSTRIES BOARD.

The question of national efficiency was disciisied at a -pecial meeting of the Board of Industries last night, held in the rooms ol the Industrial Association. Mr A. W. .lamieson occupied the chair, and there was an attendance of about twenty members.

The chairman referred to what he thought should be done to support and extend the usefulness of the National Efficiency Board. There was sufficient power given to the Efficiency Board by Government regulation to turn tlie business world upside down, but these powers, of course. would be applied with discrimination to the needs of the Empire. Me believed the primary producers must be their first consideration. as on the value of their products depended the general finance of the nominion. It was also imperative from the consumers' point of view that a

large quantity of produce should he available, and this was influenced by the conditions under which the farmer was asked to grow his produce. The farmer should he given every reasonable chance to carry out his work, and should also be assured ol a fair ieturn. He suggested that a committee of six be elected to confer with the fanners' representatives evolve some workable scheme for the upkeep ol labour in >:ne country. ANith regard to non-essential industries, it was possible to assign tJiat term to practically everything outside primary production, but it was certainly advjsa!>le*to approach the matter diplomatically and conscientiously but fearlessly. Lately a feeling of unrest had arisen amongst traders because statements had been ir.udu of a general character aflecting all and everything. 'I his feeling was not justified. I nere were three nonessential industries which the average trader demanded should be dealt- with before ordinary trade was disorganised. These were: (J) horse racing, (2) the liquor traffic, and (H) picture shows. (Hear, hear.) lie had read with very much interest the exceptionally strong case set out bv Sir George Ciiflord if lavour ol' the continuance of horse-racing during the war. However, nobody need for a moment suggest that Sir George was not alive to the best interests of the Empire, and he was sure that, provided other non-essential industries were similarly dealt with, Sir George would not oppose the proposal. Nobody could, in the circumstances, find fault with Sir George's attitude, seeing that he. was regarded as one of the finest sports connected with horse racing in the Dominion, and lor that reason, when Sir George took into consideration that the more essential industries had to be approached, he, no doubt, would agree that they could not reasonably do that until such an industry as horsc-raeing was suspended, or, arnyrate, until the race meetings were reduccd by at least half. The liquor traffic was a delicate matter, but facts were facts, and thev must, in fairness to other trades, deal with it on its merits, or demerits before attempting to reorganise it. Picture shows had grown so enormously _in popular favour that they might be said to constitute the principal—in fact, almost the sole — amusement of the masses, that' was as a family amusement.. There was room, however, for improvement. A stricter censorship could be enforced, and provided that most of the pictures were of an industrial and historical character, tliose places should not be closed, but the people should make sure that the whole of the capital invested "was local, and ascertain the aggregate dividend earned, after providing for a.reasonable interest on the capital outlay. Having done that, any excess profit should be taken by the Government during the currency of tlie war; Those three non-essentials should be seriously considered at once, and he sugested that three sub-com-mittees should be elected to obtain data, so that a concrete proposal could he submitted to the National Efficicncy Board to help it. in formulating its pioposals to the Government. Before dealing with the general trades, which could tie reorganised, lie would emphasise the importance of having Labour represented on the. Board. Unfortunately, up to the present time, invitations issued to the Trades and Labour Council had noli been responded io, I>ut this might be accounted for because of the small proportion of skill, ed labour representation on the Council. However, further consideration should bo given, and he was confident that if the unions comprising skilled labour were approached they would, in their own interests, elect two of their members to co-operate in the fostering of local industries. If only the same attention was given to this important matter as was lining given to the forthcoming imuntipn! e'cctions. it would go a long wav to solve the problems that now confronted Lbcni.

On more Uian !i-r> o. vusion a good deal had been said tonccrning the waste of energy in tTie distribution of (a) milk, (b) meat and (<■) bread. This wouhi be an. opportune time for the Council to a municipal milk supply and inaugurate a proper motor delivery system that would mean the immediate release <:! a nur.:brr of men and, at the same time. r;?suu» a more rigid inspection and, by the introduction of a coupon s-Vhtem. make the industiy, from the producer.-.' point of view, more profitable without increasing the price to consumers. He suggested that three members should be appointed to interview representatives of the milk supplier.? an<l then, if a s.'heme was practicable. to approach the Citv Council with a (.("finite pro|K)sal. If a workable scheme was evolved in connexion with the distribni ion of milk, it should aho prove feasible in the distribution of meat and bread, and n general delivery system.

Mr .J aniie.-on w:k accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.

Mr J. Koir moved: "That the racing permits be cut down by half during the continuaufe of tho war." Personally, he would like to see it shut down altogether, but wanted tn be reasonable. After a little discussion Mr Keir proposed, and it was carried. "That a committee consist inn of the chairman. Messrs Goodsir. Willis, and the mover, should consider and report on the question of horse racing." With regard to the ii<|i:or traffic. Mr Keir said he would like to fee the whole thino- done away with absolutely, but he thought the committee should at least oe instructed to ask that, for the period of the war, hotels should close at <i p.m.. and not open Wore !J a.m. This was agreed to. Mr Black moved "That the censorship of pictures should be stricter, and that all profits over 10 per cent, should taxed."

Mr Birks said that the motion went further than the jurisdiction of the meeting warranted, and as an amendment, Tie moved that consideration of the matter be postponed. Mr Black withdrew his motion, and the amendment was carried, the opinion also being expressed that permission should not. be given for the erection of any more picture shows during the \rflr. The matter of a more efficient milk supply was relegated to a committee consisting of the chairman and Miss Tabart and Messrs llirks and Drayton.

The discussion on the be-t way t« carrv on businesses interfered vvith in anv way i>y the war was deferred u> a sube-t'fjueui meeting.