THE WAR EFFORT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 166, 13 June 1940, Page 6

THE WAR EFFORT.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —We read every day in our newspapers some admirable suggestions as to the most effective use that can be made of all available man-power—-the conversion of unproductive labour into productive channels, and of magnanimous financial assistance in these critical days. But the resolution supported and sentiments expressed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Kairanga County Council betray only too well the motive underlying such utterances —the conservation and hoarding or local body funds ,at the expense of the Government. The greater part of the maintenance work of this and other local bodies is carried out by No. 13 scheme labour, under the supervision of permanent employees, who, were the scheme not iri existence, would still have to be paid wages, use the same lorries, tools, equipment, etc., and do the work now being done with considerably more effort. Yet, in spite of the fact that the Government foots the wages bill of the scheme labour, its use entails the expenditure of some hundreds of pounds. How comes this. It would be very enlightening if Cr Collis would inform the public how the grubbing.of more weeds from the roadside or the carting of more metal _ on the roads (which are not now being used to anything like the extent they were formerly owing to the benzine restrictions) or the screening of more metal, etc., is going to assist the country’s war effort. Oh yes, it’s the local bodv that will benefit; not-the country ‘Nothing has been mooted about a free-of-interest loan or a loan to the Government of the £lO 000 credit balance to be placed on fixed deposit, or of anything which nrevents such a course being adopted. We read orilv of wliat the Government or the labour organisations should do. The. sooner -the Government takes over tlie administration of all local bodies the better; perhaps 'this too mav be embodied in the “all m” policy, for as Cr Shannon stated, the working man is more than willing* to assist to tlie best of bis capacity and ability. 1! am, etc., CUI BQNO Longburn, 12/6/40.