EFFORT IMPEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 11

EFFORT IMPEDED

CONDUCT OF WAR

BUREAUCRACY BLAMED OVERLAPPING AND WASTE LONDON, Jnnp '_>o "There is no doubt that, late and difficult though it is to make a change, we must improve the efficiency of the Government machine," says Mr. Ward Price. "If we do not, we will either be conquered or forced to carry on an indecisive war so long that we will be ruined and exhausted

before the end. "Muddle, incompetence and delay in high places has increased the length and cost of all our wars, but to-day we cannot afford to indulge in these failings, because we have never faced an enemy so ruthless and so well organised. Britain, after 22 months of military reverses, is realising the need for more scientific planning. Whereas despotic authority, the 'Great General Staff,' is behind the enemy's efforts, we carry on the war with a team of practically independent, mutually jealous and procrastinating Government departments.

"Overlapping, waste, indecision and obstruction abound. A more practical programme is needed. Mr. Menzies placed before the Australians the sort of scheme we need hero, namely, nothing less than the mobilisation of all resources of manpower, capital, equipment and raw materials for the sole

purpose of winning the war. Britain should have begun to follow that aim in 1939, but it is not likely that Ministers without sufficient energy to do it. then have enough energy and enterprise to follow it nbw. "There i.s no question of trying to swap horses in midstream. All that is needed is to give Mr. Churchill better

equipment with which to lead us than a loosely organised Government system, glib speech-making Ministers and irremovable, dilatory bureaucrats."

MIDDLE EAST ZONE AIR FORCE ACTIVITIES LONDON, Jnno 20 The Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: "Normal patrols were carried out by aircraft of the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force in the Western Desert on Wednesday. In addition our bombers raided landing grounds at Derna. and Gazala. an unidentified aeroplane being destroyed on the ground at Gazala.

"A combined force of South African Air Force and Royal Air Force bombers attacked opposing positions which were holding up our troops near Damascus. At Beirut shipping in the harbour was bombed, one very near miss being made on a destroyer. Two Vichy aircraft were shot down at Soueida, about 63 miles south-east of Damascus.

"Enemy aircraft approached Malta on Wednesday on two occasions, but owing to interception raids did not materialise. An enemy K2OO fighter was shot down, other machines being badly damaged. Four British aeroplanes are missing from these operations." FREEDOM OF PRESS RESTRICTION IN SWEDEN (iiecd. 5.S p.m.) STOCKHOLM. June i» The Lower House approved a hill restricting the freedom of the press which "had become necessary owing to the international situation."