THE NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3190, 14 September 1917, Page 4

THE NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

,■ The latest proposal of the Government respecting ,tho National Efficiency Board affords pathetic evidence of tho inability of Oabinefc to see things in thoir true perspective. Having foolishly lost /or New Zealand the services of a body of buEiness men of recognised capacity, proved experience, and exceptionally well equipped to investigate and adviso tho Government on questions affecting National Efficiency, Ministers now propose to substitute therefor a semi-political body with two Ministers at tho head of it. As is pointed out by a correspondent elsewhere in this issue, the fact that the Efficiency Board was composed of men free from Parliamentary ties [and political habits, ho might have added], and tho fact of their accepting office without pay for their arduoute duties, gave tha public a sense of confidence in the Board. The public, knowing the men, felt that whatever decision they might arrivo at, whatever recommenda-

tions they might make, would be based on their estimate of the facts of the matter under review and would be governed by no other considoration than what was best to be done in the interests of National Efficiency. Not being politicians seeking sectional support or the winning of votes, they were in a pos ; - tion to consider each question absolutely on its merits and With the single object in view. What is known of their work has already made it clear that the country is , under a deep obligation to them. Yet the Government, while this Board was still in the midst of its immensely important labours, lightly dispensed with its services, and now proposes to substitute a semipolitical Board under the pretence that it is thereby repairing the loss which it has brought on tho Dominion. It is most regrettable that the Government cannot see- itself in a truer perspective and thus have a better realisation of its limitations. Does Cabinet really think that the inclusion of two of its members on the Board will strengthen public confidence in its capacity for useful practical service? What possible service can tho Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward render on the National Efficiency Board that they could not equally well render in their ordinary official capacities? They cannot possibly spare the time to take any serious part in the work of tho Board; they are only likely to act as a brake and a hindrance to it? labours; and they will hamper anc weaken, its findings and renorts by introducing political considerations wh'ich they soem unable to cast aside. National' Efficiency to tho Government would seem to be littlo more than a useful catch-cry—something to occasionally talk about and to conveniently forget about. Yet the question is one of such vital and increasing importance to the whole nomiktion that it is the height of folly to allow it to be thrust into

tho background as though it were a quite secondly matter. It seems hopeless now to attempt to heal tho breach with the members of the Wo Efficiency Board. Tho Government has lost to the country tho services of the most valuable civil body iroated in the Dominion sinro the outbreak oE the war. and its attempt to repair this loss simply serves to emphasise its seriousness. The Prime Minister is now endeavouring to reconstruct the Board, but ho might just as well snare himself the labour unless Ministers intend to take full and proper, advantage of tho investigations and recommendations of tho expert advisers whose assistancethey seek.