EFFICIENCY BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 6

EFFICIENCY BOARD.

A WELLINGTON REPORT. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS. [Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, A-.igusfc 16. A statement is published this morning to tho effect that members 'of the-, National Efficiency Board havo resigned. STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN. THE BOARD'S STAND. .WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED. (Special to the "Star.") WELLINGTON, August IG. The resignation of the National Efficiency Board, which has been regularly reported at intervals during the last few months, is again revived, and while it would be wrong to say that it is aft last correct, there is no doubt that the developments of the next few days* will produce either the board's resigna- ( tion or its continuance in office on a better understanding with the Government. Mr Ferguson, chairman of the Efficiency Board, said to your correspondent apropos of the reported resignation: "The only thing 1 can say is thati no one was more surprised than myself when I saw the report of the board's resignation. If you information I must refer you to Sir 'James Allen, Minister in charge, to whom we are responsible, as confidential advisers to the Government, and if the Government chooses to disclose, any confidential communication that is their lookout." Two months ago the board met in Wellington and resolved then that as the Govornm'3nt had ignored seventyfivo per cont of its recommendations, it was necessary for members to resign. Later, members of the-board decided to wait until the lenders returned to New Zealand. The hoard's stand was that the Government appeared to fail absolutely to realise the tremendous importance of marshalling the entire labour and economic resources of tho Dominion. Tho position now is that with the necessity for calling up tho Second Division imminent, the board feels there has been practically nothing dona to organic labo'ar and set fiee well over 2000 fit single men exempted sine die on account of essential occupations. The argument on the other side is that the Government is the responsible body, and that if effect were given to all of the board's recommendations, it would virtually mean the handing over of the reins of Government, especially as in several essential respects the board's recommendations have presented what the Government considers to be insuperable difficulties in actual practice. The main cause of tho present impasse appears to be that the board, as constituted, is practically an independent body with advisory poAvers, bub •without'consultative status, while tho Government is the responsible body re- • ceiving "the J board's recommendations without having the advantage of actua 1 •use in Cabinet of the board's commercial and business acumen. It is Suggested that among members and men of business ability that a better and more practical course for the Government to have adopted would bo to invite one or two men of recognised business acumen and experience to sit.,m Cabinet for the deliberation of matters affecting- national . efficiency. This .-JUStirse would serve JJie. double purposo of avoiding a "clash of decision and <>* preserving Cabinet secrecy beloie announcement of the Government's intentions. . . ,_,i Summed up in a sentence, the. board has evidently said to the Government: "Either make better use of <rur time or let us g" about our own business. The br eezo may pass ovei, as it is ■understood that members of bo: '™ will discuss matters frankly uith tho Prime Minister in the hope of secuiin„ a better understanding. THE COMMISSIONERS' POSITION. CAUSE OF THEIR GRIEVANCES. It has been known in Christchureh months that the member* were dissatisfied with their position. The principal cause of the dissatislaction is the failure of the Government to deal promptly with long and very important reports prepared by tho board. It is felt that, if the recommendations were not appioved, tho reasons for that course should have been stated. Another grievance held by the Comissioncrs is that the Government unnecessarily delayed (the publication of the reports, and in this way placed the board in a false position in the eyes of the public. Some excuse was'made for the Government's attitude towards the board while the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward were in England. It was hoped that the cause for complaint would be removed when the two heads of the National Government returned, but Sir Joseph Ward's sharp remarks in Parliament a few weeks ago accentuated the position, and apparently added to tho Commissioners' dissatisfaction.