NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 68, 18 September 1917, Page 3

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

REGRET 'AT RESIGNATION,

At the meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday Mr. Leigh Hunt moved and Mr. Gaudin seconded :

"That this chamber views with alarm the possibility of the Dominion at this critical time losing the valuable services of the present National Efficiency Commissioners who, by their patriotic service, proved ability, and impartiality have won the confidence of the country. It is of the highest national importance that the board should continue its labours without hindrance either by politicians or vested interests, and it should receive the sympathetic assistance of the Government as a whole and Ministers individually. Not only should the. National Government ensure the retention of the present members of the board; but it should follow the lei*d of the British Prime Minister and call to. its aid business men of integrity and capacity to assist in solving (apart from all but national considerations) the many vital questions which have, to be capably dealt with during and after the war, if disaster is to be avoided. That the Chamber will heartily co-operate with other bodies in urging the Government ■to adopt tho above policy."

Mr. Hunt said that there was litttle encouragement for leading men to voluntarilly- give their services if this was the treatment they were to receive. It did not appear that Ministers and Parliament had given the board the assistance promised. He had just heard that another board which was helping the Government-had tendered its resignation. Mr. L. A. Edwards opposed the motion on the ground that, while favouring the system of business men advising the Government, he did not feel justified in commending the work of this board unless he knew what the work was.

Mi. Hunt produced the board's report. The motion was adopted, Mr. Edwards dissenting.