“N.Z. Not Governed By Bureaucracy”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29530, 3 June 1961, Page 15

“N.Z. Not Governed By Bureaucracy”

Critics sometimes claimed that New Zealand was governed by its bureaucracy, but the claim did not stand up to close examination, said the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) yesterday to a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Civil Service Institute. The Public Service did Its best to execute different policies laid down by different Governments, sand the Minister. The criticism arose because critics failed to appreciate the complexity of policy formation and execuition at Government level. . Changes in housing policy provided an example, he said. It was clear that New Zealand was putting too much of its resources into house construction. The critics saw the answer as simple—just carrying off some millions off the housing vote—but it was not so simple. Any sudden and drastic cut back in expenditure would cause considerable upisets in the construction industry and destroy valuable ! productive enterprises. Complaints of bureaucracy were sometimes buttressed by pointing out the wide area [within which the Public Ser'vice was free to make administrative decisions of considerable importance to the individual. “Here. I think, there are legitimate ground* tor com-

plaint, not that the service had made bad or unfair decisions. but rather because it has been delegated too much discretionary power and in many instances there are not adequate facilities available for the Individual to appeal against an administrative decision.

The setting up of the Taxation Board of Review had taken care of one aspect; but there were many other fields where the Minister thought the safeguards were insufficient.

Import licensing was one example, he said. Rights of Appeal If individual freedom was to be preserved it was essential that adequate rights of appeal and objection should be readily available to al] citizens.

The Government was now preparing legislation designed to set up an omabudsman. the Minister said. The legislation’s drafting was bristling with difficulties and a number of important decisions would have to be made when it was finally drafted.

“My impression is that the individual who holds the office will be somewhat difficult to obtain and wil] have a very onerous task.” he said “But I am sure it will be possible to bring in legislation which will have conaicterabla nuhlic ,cr“»ot»noa ”