Hide-Bound Bureaucracy

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 6

Hide-Bound Bureaucracy

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Please allow me a little Wf to congratulate you on your leader tn last night’s issue. A copy of it -houifl be cut out and sent to the Dtrectol* General of Health, because that * the stuff to give them. It would h* interesting to know it this last letteg to the Hospital Board, in reference to the £l2O worth of surgical instruments and the anxiety for the ratepayers, was sent with or without the knowledge t* the Minister. I have lived in several of the Britwfi dominions and I think New Zealand takes the bun for red tape, hide-bound regulations and departmental head coo. trol. It is time the people here wok* up to the fact that they are being ridden by their heads, instead of being served by them, and when then Ministers or members come round at the next election for our support, we should put it to them, good and hard, as to this autocratic and bureaucratin way of governing the country—such MB the Loans Board, where apparently no evidence or argument is permitted. (M I am wrong please correct me). Now, Sir, what is the use of electing hospital boards if they cannot buy £l2O worth of instruments without permi» sion from Wellington, or rivers board* if they cannot close up an old rives channel without going to Wellington! After these men have offered them* selves to serve on their local bodies, and to give of their best, and then t* be elected, and sent there to do th* job, they cannot do it at all without permission from Wellington. Sir, I think whichever party at th* next election would propose to blow up all their hide-bound, senseless and obso» lete regulations, without unduly upset, ting the constitution, would command * good measure of support. Again thanking you for space, — : I am, etc., ONLOOKER. Havelock North, 15/3/34.