EFFICIENCY BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 52

EFFICIENCY BOARD.

ITS ACTIVITIES CONCLUDED. WORK OF THE LOCAL BODY. On February 26, 1920, the National Efficiency Board officially went out of existence. The delay in closing the activities of the Board, in face of the fact that the war ended in November, 1918, has been due to the necessity of carrying on certain soldiers' farms and businesses ' until the last of the men affected had returned to the Dominion. The last of these soldiers have now returned. •A large quantity of responsible work, faithfully carried out, lies to the credit of the National -Board. The activities of Mr J. Begg, the local commissioner, were of a most comprehensive nature, and many difficult cases* reauiring delicate handling, had to be adjudicated on by him. A brief outline of sorrPo of the business handled by Mr Begg should prove of interest. A total of 636 appeals were submitted to the Otago Commissioner by the Military Service Boards and reported on by him, and a large number of applications for financial assistance were investigated by the Board on behalf of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. On the ahsorbtion of the No. 1 Military Service Board—the No. 2 Board had been dissolved some time 1 previously—took over the work of adjudicating on a large number of applications by soldiers for their transport to the dominion ahead of their turn. Theso applications were reported on by the commissioner, and his findings were given effect toby the military authorities. A large number of farms and businesses were successfully carried on for soldiers during their absence from the dominion, and action was freely taken under the regulations to protect soldiers' businesses. The board had autocratic powers under these regulations and used them-with such discretion that there was little or no public; resentment against what was of necessity more or less arbitrary action. A variety of. general subjects was dealt with and reported upon to the Government The first of these annual reports was made public by the Government, but the later reports by the National Board were never given' out to the public. Very able assistance was given to Mr Begg in his numerous duties by a number of local trustee boards and committees. Mr Begg says he desires to place on record his high appreciation of the valuable service undertaken by the gentlemen composing these bodies, without fee or reward,' save the knowledge that they were helping their country in a time of crisis, and often in* volving painful and unpleasant experiences.