EFFICIENCY BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 962, 12 March 1917, Page 5

EFFICIENCY BOARD.

MEETING AT ASHBURTON. Mr E. P. Burbury visited Ashburlon on Saturday in order to advance the organising work in connection with the Efficiency Board another step. The president of the A. and P. Association (Mr J. Bruce) presided over a large attendance at the meeting, which was public. Mr Burbury explained that the ratepayers in the respective ridings should elect five members of a committee of which the chairman of the local road board should be a member. Two of these committeemen, the chairman and another, would attend the central committee. He read several letters from the Commissioner (Mr J. A. Frostick) outlining the method of work. It was essential that each district should work on the same plan. Mr Burbury- made a strong appeal for long and earnest assistance. For a time, at any rate, self must be put aside. They must look at the wheal question as cme which was essential to the life and welfare of the community. When harvest came, instead of every farmer engaging his own hands, possibly by adopting co-operative methods, half the number could do the work satisfactorily. In cases where a soldier farmer made his own satisfactory arrangements the board would not interfere, but there were many farmers who were not in this fortunate position. Personal differences must be sunk.

Mr Nosworthy, M.P., said the British Government commandeered most of the primary products. Yet in face of this fact the local Government were undermining the work of the Efficiency Board when each hallot came out. If the production was to be kept up for the Imperial Government, the supply of men would have to go down, yet in the face of it racing and amusements were allowed to go on. One or the other must have precedence. He was sorry that the Government had appointed such an Appeal Board as Mr Evans was chairman of, when it slated there was no shortage of labour. It was a slight on the country when a paid Government official made such a statement. What was the good, of. working a mighty sham when they were taking away producers every ballot; men who would produce the wool, the wheat, the mutton, and the cheese. The Government might just as well call a "spade a spade," for they were up against it. The offer of the Government in regard to wheat was ridiculous. The whole thing had been a muddle from beginning to end, and it would be worse if they continued on the lines they were pursuing. He asked the Efficiency Board to recommend them to outline a stronger and bolder policy. Mr Burbury agreed with many of Mr Nosworthy's remarks, but stated he was not there to criticise. Nothing would be accomplished as long as criticism was levelled and nothing done. The past actions of the Government were irrevocable, and they must face the situation as it was today. Mr W. Harding moved:—"That the meeting endorse the propositions of the Geraldine farmers." Mr Chas. Beid seconded the resolution. In doing so he pointed out to Mr Nosworthy that if he had heard Mr Frostick he would have had a different opinion. His argument was that the essential industries must be looked after while the nonessential were to go. The meeting could strengthen the Commissioner's hand by passing resolutions urging curtailment in all non-essential concerns.

Mr Nosworthy said he was not there to criticise the Government but to impress on the Efficiency Board the seriousness of the position and the grave problems that confronted it. The chairman pointed out that deeds and not words were the requirements of the day. We were at war with Germany, and every farmer must assist. The stupendous problems of the day could be best solved by the use of the best brains in the country. These brains could only be used by earnest co-operation. He was sure that the system of working as arranged by the board was right, and would do more than many realised.

Mr Burbury pointed out that time was the essence of the contract. Many people were labouring under the idea that the Efficiency Board had some connection with the Appeal Boards. But this was not the case, and he was not responsible in any way for the remark of Mr Evans. It was evident thai a tangle had resulted owing to the fact that last week when Mr Frostick was present a committee had been formed for what specific purpose nobody seemed to know. Another committee, formed by representatives from the road boards would be set up, ami it seemed that the committee organised while Mr Frostick was there was now powerless, and, as a result, must be dissolved.

It was finally agreed that the Executive Committee, which consists of the road board members, should lake precedence of ail other committees, which would automatically be dissolved, ami it was resolved to hold over the; adoption of the Geraldinc proposals until the Executive Committee held their meeting. To-day Mr Burbury is meeting the farmers al Hororata.

A BUSY OFFICE. To-morrow Mr Frostick, the Commissioner, will leave for the West Const, and will hold meetings during the week at Greymouth, Becftou, and Wcstport. The oilices of the National Elliciency Board in Hereford Street at present are a hive of industry. In addition to the Commissioner (Mr Frostick) the staff consists of the secretary (Mr Cooper), Mr Burbury (the chief adviser), and three typists. During the past week the whole staff has been going at top

speed in an effort lo keep pace with the enormous amount of work created hy the very thorough and energetic manner in which the Commissioner has tackled the task he has in hand, Every morning a huge hulk of cor-

respondence is received and dealt with, some of it necessitating lengthy replies, while all through tlie day interviews are taking place hetween callers and the Commissioner or his secretary. To this is added the work arising out of the public meetings of Mr Frostick and Mr Burbury, the general result being that some of the staff must work long after other people have gone to their homes. It appears obvious that unless the amount of work is reduced that a yet larger staff will have to be engaged to cope with it.