EFFICIENCY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9999, 17 June 1918, Page 3

EFFICIENCY

To the Editor ‘'N.Z. Times.”

Bar,—lt is to bo regretted that, in making their criticisms respecting tins maintenance of State services, as appearing in tho ‘’Times” of 15ch inst.. the Wellington Trades and Labour Council should have chosen words likely to dispa rage national efficiency by describing it as “the greatest catchword of tho day.” Their expressed resets, that the idea has not got beyond words and that ivhero practised in Government departments ”at has become a by-word and 'a subject for jest,” are commendable so far as they are genuine.

Whatever doubts, may bo entertained respecting the efficiency of Government methods in managing State services at this time, there can fie no question respecting the desirability of nr-uonal efficiency; and uny reference to tno subject that may tend to bring it into contempt is, to say the least, unwise. It often seized upon os pn excuse for very is here admitted that tho term ia quite questionable actions; but that docs not alter tho fact that applied efficiency pure and simple, would undoubtedly bo “the solution of the war and after-war problems." Just hero it might bo well to look a little closer into this much-used term, and to define, more clearly thair most of ns have yet done, the motive or tho object sought in advancing national efficiency.

It would seem that the best object of national efficiency would bo the maintenance, the strengthening, and tho extension of those institutions whereby the integrity of tho nation can best be assured. The question hero intrudes Itself:' Upon w'hait qualification does a nation rightly exist? It would seem that the greatest service that can be secured by tho act of constituting a nation—and that it shall bo of service is its only justification for existence—is that it shall secure for the individuals forming that nation, the hii'hedt possible measure of intelligent happiness in tho most undisturbed continuity. The extent to which a nation fails to accomplish this i* tho extent of its inefficiency. Oft we then accept the assumption that the integrity of tho nation is tho object of national efficiency, wo muSt admit that any nation, in order to maintain its nationhood, must take into consideration Ike possible attitude towards it of other nations; and at this time, when an attempt is being made to disrupt our nation, commercial or industrial interests must bond, or be bent, towards defensive efficiency. If in pursuit of other aims wo neglect national efficiency, and another n;vUim that does build on efficiency extends at our expense, wo ffiiall then bo compelled to admit that it was owing to our inefficiency that wo had forfeited our right—that is our ability—ito exist as a nation. There is no better national charter* than efficiency, and lot us not permit the fear of our own weakness to lead us to forget that efficiency is power—is, indeed, might itself. One of the most important factors in national efficiency would bo n higher conception of the duties and obligations of the individual towards the nation—a clearer view of the source from which the subject derives his liberty. Following this there would bo less ten-

doncy on the part of some of our oitizens to use that liberty to enforce their so-called rights in such a manner ns to deprive fellow-subjects of an equal treodom; or so as lo jeopardise our pationial existence.

D-awevor serviceable any efforts may be that atm at regulating our industrial and commercial relations, we cannot get away from the fact that many of pur present efforts are merely temporising, and that the greater work that remains to bo done is the constitution of our nation on an efficient basis.

it is probably tho weaklings who cry most loudly that tho doctrine of might is wrong. That is natural. There are probably many hypocrites amongst those Who declare that right alone will prevail, That is human. But it has nevertheless become the fashion to •bend our faith towards that principle which calls for tho least material sacrifice and that we call liberty. It is most inconsistent with that fashion '‘lt; 1 • 111 ouv efforts towards national efficiency, w T e should so neglect the Spirit of the nation while wo go after the baser material factors.- K there ls . , o, '° ideal above all others towards which we should personally strive—if there is any foundation upon which our national edifice can hope to enoiirc—it is efficiency; and don’t lot ns forget it.—l am, .etc., W.J.B.