ESSENTIAL WORK

Southland Times, Issue 17967, 7 March 1917, Page 2

ESSENTIAL WORK

PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL, ' EFFICIENCY. TASKS OF NEW BOARD. NOW, AND AFTER THE WAR. ■WIDE SPHERES OF ACTIVITY. The Hon. Sir James Allen (ActingPrime Minister) issued last week the following statement with reference to the constitution of and work to be done by the National Efficiency Board : “To-day the Government agreed to the terms of appointment of the members of the National Efficiency Board, and I hasten to give the public information about the objects for which the board was constituted. “The term ‘National Efficiency’ Indicates the general purpose but it must be understood to mean national efficiency in its fullest interpretation during the war and after the war Is over. It is very far-reaching, and demands from the board and the organisation yet to be created under the board, unselfish and patriotic effort, and this, I feel sure, will be readily given. . "It also demands from everyone sympathy with and ready assistance to the board and its organisation, and I confidently invite the people of New Zealand to spare no efforts to help our country to profit by the lessons and experience of this time of trial. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD.

“The Government has agreed to constitute the members of the board (of which Mr W, D. Hunt is the member representing Otago and Southland) to be jointly and severally a commission for the following purposes : (1) To inquire as to what industries or occupations in New Zealand may be properly regarded as wholly or in part essential or as not essential for the public welfare. (2) To inquire as to what restrictions, modifications, or extensions should be adopted in or in connection with any such industry or occupation, so as to secure greater economy and efficiency therein.

(2) To inquire ns to the classes and quantity of labour necessary for the maintenance and regulation of any industry or occupation, whether. essential for the public welfare or not. (4) To inquire as to the classes and quantity of labour available for the maintenance and regulation of any such Industry or occupation, and as to how, in respect of essential industries and occupations, such labour may best be obtained, due regard being had to the interests of other established industries and occupations.

(5) To inquire ac to the advisability of employing women in suitable industries or occupations; as to the extent to which it Is practicable or desirable to employ women in lieu of men; and as to what extent women are available for employment in such industries or occupations.

(6) (a) With reference to the men employed in essential industries or occupations, or in any essential industry or occupation, to ascertain from time .to time what proportion of such men is liable for military service, and what proportion is not so liable: with reference to the men who are liable for military service, to ascertain from time to time, so far as possible, the number of men who are medically unfit for military service the number of men who have been exempted on appeal to a Military Service Board, and the number still liable for service, distinguishing in the last case between men in the First Division and men in the Second Division of the Reserve, (b) To ascertain so far as possible the number and class of men employed in partially-essentlal or nonessential industries, and not liable for military service, who may be available (if required) for transfer to any essential industry or occupation. (7) To inquire as to the best methods to be adopted for the employment in essential industries or occupations or otherwise of persons of military age who are unfit for military service. (8) To inquire as to the advisability and best methods of organising the labour available for essential or other industries or occupations in New Zealand or in any part thereof, with a view to securing the highest efficiency with economy.

(iO To inquire as to the use or as to the advisability of using any class of machinery, tools, or apliances in any particular industry or industries, with a view to efficient and economic production.

(10) To inquire as to any restriction, either organised or otherwise, that may be alleged to exist to the detriment of the public welfare, in any trade, service, industry, or occupation. (11) With respect to industries where the raw materials used therein are wholly or In substantial part produced in Now Zealand, to inquire as to the best

methods to be adopted for the production and preparation of such raw materials, and with respect 'to any raw materials not Indigenous to New Zealand, to inquire as to the best methods for the treatment of such materials in New Zealand.

(12) To inquire generally as to any matters relating to or for promoting efficiency of production.

(13) To inquire as to the statistics of New Zealand and other countries, with respect to the conditions of employment (including hours of labour and rates of wages), and with respect to the output and production in connection with any industry or industries.

(14) To inquire as to the desirability of limiting or prohibiting the exportation of any materals. .

(15) To Inquire as to the desirability of restricting or prohibiting the manufacture, import, transport, sale, or use of any article that is not essential to the public welfare. (16) To inquire as to the desirability of restricting or stopping the execution of public works, whether under the contra! of the Government or of any local authority.

(17) To inquire as to the desirability of restricting or stopping any form of public transit not essential to the public welfare.

(18) To inquire as to the desirability of restricting or stopping any form of amusement not essential to the public welfare. •

(19) To inquire as to any rules or regulations made by any employers or association of employers, or any workers or association of workers, with a view to ascertaining whether such rules or regulations, in so far as they affect any trade, industry or occupation, place any restriction detrimental to the public welfare upon efficient and economical production. ' (20) To inquire as to the necessity or advisability and the best methods of carrying on or disposing of the farms or other businesses of men engaged in military service. (21) To inquire as to the advisability of adopting improved methods for the instruction and technical training of workers with a view to securing more efficient service, and generally as to the necessity for further technical education and for scientific research with respect to the maintenance, development or establishment of industries. (22) To inquire as to the advisability of establishing new industries in New Zealand or of developing existing industries whether during or after the war. (23) To inquire as to the best methods of insuring the employment in suitable capacities of returned soldiers. (24) To inquire /is to the necessity or otherwise of modifying or suspending any of the provisions of any award of the Court of Arbitration, or of any industrial agreement, or of any rules of a trade union or other association, so as to permit of returned soldiers who may be partially disabled, being suitably employed and remunerated. (25) To inquire as to what measures may be necessary or advisable with a view to promote thrift, and to discourage luxury. (2«) Generally and without restricting any of the special powers conferred by the foregoing provisions to inquire as to the advisability of the exercise of any powers conferred on the Governor or the Govcrnor-in-Council, or on any Minister of the Crown by the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914, and its amendments, or by the War Regulations Act, 1914, and its amendments, or by any other Act passed, or that may be hereafter passed having reference to the war or to conditions created thereby. (27) In pursuance of any such inquiry from time to time to report to and advise the Government as to any of the matters aforesaid or in any way related thereto.