(By D. O'J.)

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1917, Page 10

(By D. O'J.)

Some very interesting questions' were raised in a discussion on national ■efficiency which took place at the Coachbuilders' Conference (employers) this week, Mr. W. Ferguson, Chairman of the Efficiency Board, gave an address, and asked for the assistance of the coachbuilders in furthering the objects for which his board was called into existence. In the subsequent discussion, the principal points referred to were : — (1) 'flow much coachbuilding (including motor-car body building) was essential a,nd how much luxury; (2) how could a saving be effected by reducing the number of small businesses ; (3) what amendments should be sought in the coachbuilding award/ to enable work to be earned oh with a reduced labour supply. With x the first two points Labour is indirectly interested; the third question, is vital. How the coachbuilders view it is indicated by the motion adopted later in the conference to ask that hours be extended by 25 per cent, without payment of overtime, and that apprentices "employed by firms obliged to close down by stress of war circumstances be transferred to other -employers without regard to the journey-men-apprentice proportion. Such a suggestion as the former will have to be supported by evidence, which does not appear in the press reports, before it can be considered; but in the meantime this point may be noted: The greater number of speakers admitted that 'much of the coachbuilding work was of 'an unessential character, and the gentlemen who urged that hours shield be extended said this was necessary to enable the great volume of work to be coped with at reasonable rates. If the work is unessential, is ifc desirable at the present time that it should be sought for and encouraged, by taking extraordinary steps to have it done cheaply? Would it not be better to allow the law of supply and demand to operate so that customers will be discouraged from placing orders unless the work is urgent? Labour has not yet made its voice heard on the question of national efficiency. It will require to give consideration to such matters as these before Parliament meets.