EFFICIENCY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3150, 31 July 1917, Page 7

EFFICIENCY

Sir,—lt is often found to be a very (lifficult thing to answer a direct question concisely. The more important the question, the greater the difficulty, for it is often linked, up with smaller questions which tempt us to compromise. Especially is this the cash in a country like ours, when the question is connectcil with polities' and vested interests. And for these reasons I am profoundly thankful to our National Efficiency Board for its decisive recommendation with regard to the.liquor trade, which appears in your columns to-day. The National Efficiency Board.has taken its stand, with many British Generals, Admirals, and other men of high standing, in acknowledging that however pleasant and reasonable liquor used in moderation may be in times of peace, it hinders efficiency in time of war.

I hope Mr. Jlassey's refusal to give a lead to six o'clock closing was prompted by a determination to await consideration of the report on the question from the National Efficiency Board which Cabinet set''up. The board gives on opportunity for a strong man to load New Zealand a distinct step towards victory. For we know that neither money nor men can save us unless the right spirit guides them. Surely the words used in Parliament yesterday by an able member with regard to/ taxation apply equally to efficiency. "The Ministers have the opportunity of their lives. No half-measures will suffice. The Government measures must be. strong, plain, remedial. The surest way to lose the war is to assume it is won. Sir William Robertson has saiil plainly that "all the available man-power of the nation is required to secure victory." General Kobertson is one of our great soldiers, who iisks for liquor to bn stopped to increase efficiency. There should bo no need of his pleading. If Cabinet and I,'arliament will i'or love of our Empire lake five minutes" silent thought on tho matter, they will be moved to ttand by onr plucky National "Efficiency Board, •ami they will find that public epiniou will support them. The. roughest man in.camp who backs himself in s> boxing match for all he's worth (hops his liquor for a time to win his money. And wo are fighting for our most precious possessions. Liquor interests will look to the Press to defend it. Good citizens will pray ihat the Press may shake off (he golden chains that have such power over us all, ami so endorse the recommendation of the National Efficiency Hoard that our politicians will ignore it at their peril. 1 have always baen against a bare majority deciding the question in times of peace. But to stop our liquor traffic would be a help to our fighting men, and would bring home to New Zealanders generally the fact that we have enormous responsibilities on our shoulders. And when bloody war is stalking on the stage and robbing tho world of its best, surely no half-measures will suffice when the, opportunity is given us to make for efficiency by a community sacrifice. The community is ready, if our leaders will but say tho word and achieve a victory pvw vested interests which will be a proud reniembvance.—l am, etc.. ■■ WILL. li. MATHESON. ■' Tiratahi, Eketahuna. [Since the paragraph referred to by Mr. Miitheson appeared ra Tun Dominion it has been contradicted by 'tho Chairman of the Efficiency Board, 't'ho fact is we Uelieve. that the board toco - imended alternative propositions, including the proposal to close botels for the period of tho war.l