THE EFFICIENCY BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16620, 17 August 1917, Page 4

THE EFFICIENCY BOARD

REPORTED RESIGNATION,

RECOMMENDATIONS IGNORED

MEDIATION BY THE PREMIER [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON. Thursday. The relations between the National Efficiency Board and the Government are the subject of much discussion, both in the city and in Parliament. Though neither side will make a definite statement it i* well known that a crisis has been reached. The position at present appears to be that the board has placed its resignation in the hands of the Government, and is waiting for Cabinet to make a public statement explaining the situation. Mr. J. H. Gunson, the Auckland repre-

sentative on the board, when asked to make an announcement for publication concerning the board's resignation, said : " I cannot possibly say anything about it at present. We are the confidential advisers of the Government, and it is not for us to make a statement. All I can say at this juncture is that the board is still sitting." i This apparently means that the board has handed in its resignation, but that the resignation has not yet been accepted. The board, it is understood, feels that j the Government has not given its recom-,/ mendat'ons the attention they deserve, and contends that if its carefully thoughtout suggestions are to be ignored then i's work is vain. The board's chief cause of complaint is, it is believed, the indifference, not the hostility, of the Government. It is true that during the early part of the session one Minister openly declared that he would not submit to dictation from the board, but subsequently that statement was modified, and partly explained away. • It is generally understood, however, that the Government feels that the board is at times inclined to go beyond its order of reference, by practically laying down lines of policy. It is also hinted that Ministers take exception to some of the statements made by members of the board in newspaper interviews. The Prime Minister declares that he is not aware of &.ny friction between the board and the Cabinet. He points out, however, that the responsibility for the government of the Dominion must rest upon the Cabinet and Parliament, and it may not always be possible to give immediate effect to every recommendation the board may make. Mr. Massey recognises that the board has done, and is doing, much good work, and is doing it thoroughly. He is desirous of working harmoniously with the board, end intends to have a talk with its members to-morrow. He hopes that the difficulties which have arisen will be removed, and that the board will see its way to go on with the task it was set rap to perform. It is quite possible that the resignation may be conditional— kind of ultimatum — the parties concerned may arrive at a workable arrangement at to-morrow's conference.