AUCKLAND

NZ Truth, Issue 755, 6 December 1919, Page 7

AUCKLAND

Mr. Tom Bloodworth, the official Labor candidate for Parnell, speaking at the Green Lane Picture Theatre on November 25, instanced the Hon. Arthur Myers' Department of Munitions and Supplies as an example of what business organisation and efficient administration is capable of achieving m j State Departments. Mr. Bloodworth pointed out to his audience that Mr. Myers administered his important department at a cost of under half per cent, of the turnover, at the same time saving a-quarter of a million to the country during the war, and providing for our 100,000 soldiers' equipment, clothes and boots second to none m the world. This is surely an "unsolicited testimonial" of which anyone might be proud, coming, as it does, from the ranks of Labor, and directed to a foremost supporter of the principles of Liberalism. * # * "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," the old maxim has it. No doubt Mr. Arthur Myers is accordingly flattered by the knowledge that the principle he has put forward that parents of families exceeding three m number should receive weekly allowances m respect of their children until they reach the age of fourteen years has immediately been absorbed into the policies of the only two ladies standing as Parliamentary candidates m the City of Auckland. It is gratifying to know that this much-needed and democratic principle is receiving universal acceptance and support. * * * What a boon it would be to Cost of Living victims if we could only induce our legislators to tackle their job on business lines! If we only had a few more Arthur Myers's, who abolished Red Tape and introduced standardisation and other modern organisation into his departments, we should not now be having "inflated currency" and "adjustment of exchange" methods of reducing the cost of living hurled at our heads by every man who hopes to win a seat this election. Mr. Myers department turned out a boot, which has been recognised as the best worn by any soldier of civilisation (and which, by the by, is erroneously termed the "Bill Massey" boot) at an average cost of twenty-one shillings per pair! Arthur is not a bootmaker by trade, but he put experts on the job, and so achieved results which, if applied to all State Departments, not. to mention private enterprise, would soon make the "Cost of Living Problemfade away. * * *■ "Turn Your Face to the West. Daddy." the old song says;- but at -rPsont all eyes, are turned town--'---the East m Auckland, where the Reform Party has organised itself for the effort to replace an experienced and able servant, of the people by p young man whose experience is all still to be gained. Not another contest m the whole of the Dominion is exciting go much interest as the Auckland Fo°ffight. Here's wishing you. luck. Arthur Myers, m continuing to stand for the democratic Liberal principles upon which your whole public life has been founded. * « * Some people are misguided enough to think that the electors of Auckland East are going to be persuaded to take the administration of their affairs out of the hands of a man whom they know to have served them well and disinterestedly through a long number of years, and place them under the guidance of a Southerner who is both a stranger to Auckland and to business administration.