THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 89, 9 January 1919, Page 5

THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT

OVERHAULING THE BRITISH SYSTEM CABINET AND PARLIAMENT By Telegraph—Press AESociation-Ooriyrißlit London, January 7. A committee under the presidency of Lord Haldane, to inquire into the machinery of government,' lecommends that the Cabinet should consist of ten, and not more than twelve, members, and should bo supplied with information in such a way ns to enable it to reach an, expeditious decision. Cabinet ehould also make a point qf consulting all Ministers whose work is likely to iiffect its decisions. The committee, commenting on the nonutilisation of women's services in administrative departments and intelligence branches, eays: "The public service has hitherto been deprived of vast knowledge and fresh ideas, which for particular purposes would have been , inure , valuable and more relevant than even that of the ablest'men in the Civil Service." The committee, recommends closer Parliamentary control over the administra> tiye departments and the appointment ot a' Minister to preside over an Empire Department of Intelligence and Research. If instances the importance of the work achieved during the war by the P.rwy Council organisation to encourage the application of science to industry. ~ Tho report discountenances forming special Ministries for various classes of the community which are less effective than a department concentrating on the needs of the community as a whole. There must bo. better combination betwoen the various departments, instead o£, their working in watertight compartments. It advocates the creation of a Ministry of Railways .if the railways are nationalised, and also a Ministry for the purchase of Government supplies: i The Home Secretaryship should be transformed into a Ministry of Justice. All Judges ehould be appointed by the Lord Olian-cellor.-Ans.-N.z: Cable Assn.