Changes In System Of Govt Predicted

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 32

Changes In System Of Govt Predicted

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 19. The National Development Conference could provide impetus for a radical change in the method of government, Professor J. L. Roberts said today.

Professor Roberts, professor of political science and) (public administration at Victoria University, was speaking at a Wellington Chamber| [of Commerce luncheon on the’ 'political and social environment in the late 19705. He foresaw two directions decision-making would take, over that period. “New Zealand is a homo-; [geneous, sheltered community |in which the major decisions) have hitherto been taken by I other people,” Professor Rob-1 [erts said. “That era is drawing to ai [close. We shall have to make l decisions ourselves, which 'will be hard because we will! have to pay more attention to! [the scarcity of our re-' [sources,” he said. I In the past everybody had been given a little of what they wanted, hut this would not be the case in the future. Professor Roberts said it was becoming increasingly difficult for laymen in the Government to control the (broadening and complex power of the bureaucracy. “The influence of Parlia-' ment will relatively diminish, ;in relation to other forms of

consultative decision-mak-ing,” he said. Experts and interest groups would become increasingly involved in the formulation of decisions, together with the Government, instead of acting only on an advisory basis. “Decisions will be made cooperatively, and the Cabinet will be more of a ratifying body than a decision-making body, which it is at present,” he said. A permanent body set up by the National Development Conference would operate on this basis of co-operative de-cision-making with the Government, Professor Roberts said.