GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1937, Page 4

GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

A brig-lit light upon the extent to which the Government of the Dominion is entering into business is east by the “Aceoiitants’ Journal,” which states that there are 612 public servants holding accountancy diplomas, which is approximately 24 per cent, of the membership of the Society of Accountants. This means that unless the proportion of qualified accountants to others is higher [in the Public Service than ontj side it would appear to indicate that almost one-fourth of the country’s accounting is done [■within, the service. The “Accountants’ Journal” comments upon the extension of State activity, of which this is evidence, and, without weighing the merits and demerits of State control in industry, points to some important implications. One of these is that, whereas in private enter- ■ prise the accountant and admin- ! istrator is often responsible for , policy, in the Public Service I policy is decided by the elected i man, and the administrator has 1

the responsibility of putting it into effect. Commenting upon these statements, the “Evening Post” says that; this division of responsibility cannot be questioned. ‘ Policy must ‘be decided by the representatives of the people; but it has certain dangers, particularly if “Ministers of the Crown are to be given almost unbridled power and arc to be placed in the positions of virtual dictators.” This is no imaginary danger. Legislation passed by the Government makes it possible for Ministers to extend the operations of the State far beyond the points already reached. This can ho done without further reference to the representatives of the people in Parliament. This fact, the “Post ” adds, must give rise to misgivings, for even those who view with equanimity the extension of the State’s interest in industry and commerce will admit that each step in extension should bo made only after deliberate and careful consideration of theteffeet upon private business and on the community at largo.