INQUIRY BUREAU

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20837, 16 July 1942, Page 2

INQUIRY BUREAU

FARMERS’ UNION PLEA MUDDLING AND WASTE DOMINION WAR EFFORT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. “In view of the fact that criticism of mistakes made in connection with the Dominion war effort is now suppressed by the press and radio, the conference urges the setting up of a central investigational bureau under the chairmanship of a. Supreme Court judge for a confidential investigation and exposure, where necessary, of all complaints indicating inefficiency, bungling-, waste or culpable negligence.” This Otago remit was unanimously adopted last night by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union conference. Mr. A. C. Cameron, Otago, quoted several published statements showing muddling and inefficiency. There have been published reports of similar muddling in other Allied countries, but here the operation of the censorship apparently prevented criticism. In Britain there was a civil board which investigated inefficiency and bungling and, as a result of its official reports, those culpable were brought to book. As the position was in New Zealand there seemed to be no means available of making blunders public and sheeting home the blame. Other delegates endorsed Mr. Cameron's remarks.