Scientific Management Urged

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 11

Scientific Management Urged

i Sir, —We, the people of New Zealand, i are responsible for the many errors which we have urged past Governments I to commit. We ruined the mining indust try; we have handed out a raw deal to 1 returned soldiers; we have nearly ruined the farming industry; and we are now busily engaged ruining the comrnerciaY community. By purchasing bitumen, motor-cars, etc., from foreign countries, we have thrown thousands out of employment who might otherwise have been profitably engaged building up this country. We should face the facts and compel all those who aspire to leadership io work together for the regeneration of this country, or step aside and allow those who appear to have a better idea of how to conduct national affairs an opportunity to demonstrate their worth. The great need of the moment is better and more efficient leadership. For instance, our system of government, which should be drastically altered, allows the Minister of Finance to lie practically the sole dictator, as to bow the budget is to be balanced. As anot her instance: Take our archaic system of local government, which allows professional men and others, as mayors of Wellington, to be the business head of a commercial enterprise, such ns the Wellington City Corporation really is. .No one but a trained business organiser in municipal affairs should be allowed to direct the business affairs of. Ibis city; n man elected by popular vote is bound to be Hie wrong man for the position. All parties- in EiCrland and Seotbiiid are busily engaged encouraging their agricultural industry, and the more that is done, the less of our primary produce will be required in that market. The policy of drift should be ended and we should plan for the years ahead. Dr. Campbell Begg at. the Town Hall meeting stated that New Zealand should be the best governed country in the world, and then gave no further lead as to how this was to he accomplished other than by making mere optimistic statements. It is necessary for those who lead the people in this country to get together, and work together, on a national policy, if we are to escape national bankruptcy. Work together in just the same way as a handful of us have been doing during the past: four years. We have established seven primary industries, nnd found work for hundreds of men and women. Does anyone imagine that we would have established a chemical industry, put. modern machines into gold mines, etc., if those in charge of the various enterprises had been fighting one another in the same manner that our political .leaders do? While we have been milking employment, political leaders have been endeavouring to circumvent one another and probably creating unemployment: for thousands. Because our political system is responsible for this, that is no reason why we, the people of New Zealand, should allow this system to remain in existence. It is right up to us to compel our leaders either to act in a more businesslike way, for their own and the people's benefit, or relinquish their positions and let others who are imbued with a greater sense of responsibility carry on their tasks. —I am. etc., W. STUART WILSON. Wellington, April 29.