PRODUCTION AND WASTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24255, 25 March 1940, Page 6

PRODUCTION AND WASTE

By his action in personally investigating and dealing with the scandal of go-slow operations on the part of relief workers engaged in the peaceful occupation of the creation of a golf course Mr Semple has doubtless added an item that will not be forgotten to the economic history of the Dominion. Many nods of approval will have attended the recapitulation of how he came, saw, gave a practical demonstration of shovelling and barrowing, and expressed his feelings and closed down the job at Burwood. But one swallow does not make a summer, nor can Ministerial action of this kind, however stirring, be expected to have any permanently profitable sequel if it is to be but a flash as it were in the pan, an isolated instance of the assertion of authority, for the checking of an abuse in circumstances of the kind. Mr Semple declared that when other relief jobs were investigated it would probably be proved that the Government had not had a “ fair go ” on them either, that the time had come when it had to take a serious view of the poor effort on relief jobs, and that the country could not carry its present load with the present returns for money spent. If that means that the Burwood business is to introduce a general investigation of the expenditure of public money in all jobs throughout the country, and particularly relief works with a view. to the elimination of an economic waste which the taxpayer and the nation cannot afford, the prospect is to be welcomed. Even so the unfortunate taxpayer is likely to indulge in some cynical reflection upon the suddenness of the Government’s apparent awakening and of its avowed decision that an end must be made of a state of affairs that has now obtained

for almost long enough to be regarded as chronic. Little surprise on the part of the public would be occasioned at the upshot of the Ministerial investigation at Burwood: the element of surprise for the public as well as the relief workers concerned would arise in the descent of the Minister of Public Works, a deus ex machina, upon the scene, which was quite in his best dramatic vein. In the general appraising commentary upon the episode the Government has not lacked congratulation upon having shown that it is determined to prevent exploitation of the public. But strong words and the dismissal of fifty-seven men for playing at work will not suffice to establish clearly the existence of such a determination on its part. The public will desire, and is entitled to, convincing assurance that the Government is in earnest in this matter. It has yet to prove that it is. Sufficient evidence on that point cannot be afforded by a single instance of the exercise of a belated vigilance in the public interest. Within the past day or two the Minister of Defence has declared: “ It is the obvious duty of every man who remains behind to increase production and avoid waste. . . . We must use "our man power to the fullest advantage, conserving our resources and increasing our production so that .our maximum effort may be the result.” Such sentiments cannot be too strongly endorsed. But the appeal for more production is surely not an appeal for the production, at a time like this at the public expense of such amenities as golf courses. Non-essential work should be absorbing an absolute minimum of public moneys while the country is facing the problem of adapting its economy to the circumstances created by the war.