ALL-ROUND EFFICIENCY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15183, 8 March 1923, Page 2

ALL-ROUND EFFICIENCY.

IN INDUSTRY AND PRODUCTION. Following the Great War, with its widespread loss, it has become imperative to face the great work of reconstruction. This is particularly so in the older countries of the world, but in a degree It is also the case in these new lands under the Southern Cross. New Zealand, during the war, was one of the "blessed isles" —money was plentiful and conditions all round very easy in comparison with some other lands. .Now we have the great burden of increased debt, financial stress and the pinch of Insistent demands upon our resources. Reconstruction calls for increased efficiency. What this means is well expressed by an English writer, Sir Vincent Caillard, in a recent publication:

"Efficiency of WlMtagement. "Efficiency of management does not mean merely good management of a given workshop equipped with given machinery worked by a given'number of men—although it naturally includes It. It means, above and beyond that, the thorough knowledge of world markets, home and foreign —or, in other words, practical realisation" of what the world's demands are —bold enterprise, Economical finance, perrect knowledge of the most modern and efficient # mechanical appliances and workshop methods, careful and systematic study of the requirements of the workers and carrying into effect all reasonable measures to meet them, and, -finally, cooperation among all to meet the desired, end of the greatest possible production" by the nation as a Whole. This last point is one which was exemplified almost to perfection during the war. I may perhaps be allowed to repeat words here on this matter which 1 wrote some time back elsewhere* A leading feature 'of this (industrial war) organisation was cooperation on a marvellous scale,, and co-operation 'hitherto scantily recorded, and therefore scarcely appreciated, Manufacturers, for the good of their country, threw away their old prejudices and put themselves unreservedly at the disposal of one another. " - Patents, secret . processes, special methods, goodwill, were flung into the, melting-pot for the common weal. • . . .' If this was done under the- tragic and gigantic national emergency of wafY is it a Counsel of perfection Jo press that it should be con., tinued in face of the equally gigantic, and perhaps equally tragic, emergency of setting the country on a lasting and unassailable foundation of industrial security and prosperity in peace? Surely it may bfe hoped not!. Industrial firms must learn that the prosperity of their individual businesses counts -but little in comparison with the prosperity of the nation as a whole —and, indeed, that the latter truly oonnotes the former.

Mechanical Perfection. '--."'Of ncTless importance is the knowledge and application of the best mechanical appliances and the best work- • shop methods* In the eyes of good - managers nothing but the most perfect machines should be good enough for them, for without the best laboursaving machinery mass production is Dot practicable. This maohinery forms the equipment of 'the workshops of which the 'lay-out' must be so .conceived that the sequence of operations

is-absolutely perfect, the raw material entering at ohe end of the sequence and the finished article emerging from the other without the slightest interruption, or any unnecessary movement of material from one part of the works, of indeed, from one part of a shop to another. This point should be most carefully and meticulously studied, for the transport of material over one ulincessary yard means unnecessary delay and expense. Wherever possible

mechanical transporters should be em-

ployed for the requisite movement of » material in order to avoid the expendi. tore of human labour on functions betfeSf performed by machines." Efficiency of Labour. ••Efficiency of labour, stated in other yiatds, means no more nor less than .that every worker should put his Whole energy and skill into his work, and pr6duce the utmost of which he is personally capable. Before briefly, discussing -the 'atmosphere' or conditions of work necessary for this, some reasons may be mentioned which have been and are formidable stumblingblocks in the minds of a vast number of working people. They believe, in the first place, that by working below their capacity they give room for a larger number to be employed; and, in the second, that by the introduction of labour-saving methods and machinery the demand for labour is reduced. The -answer in simple language is that if only one artfc"le of a certain complexity is made its cost is 100 great for anyone to care to buy it; if 100 suoh articles are made they might be within the means of the very rich; but that if you produce them- by the hundred thousand they might become so oheap as to be within the means of all, and a demand is created calling for greater and greater production and the employment of more and more labour. Increase the cost by decreasing the energy put into the work of production, or by the employment of' loss skilful methods, and the demand for the article; and therefore the demand for labour to produce it, must inevitably fall also or possibly cease altogether.

The Human Aspect.

"Last and not least, however well and scientifically management may be equipped in all the above respects, no managers are truly efficient that do-not realise, that men are'not machines, but human beings, as they themselves arc, and must be treated as such. Workshops must be well lighted, well ven. tilated, properly floored, and properly warmed. Housing must be good and well laid out. Recreation must be provided in the shape of recreation grounds, of athletic, football and cricket Clubs, and of reading-rooms—-and in fact what is now generally understood as 'welfare' must be thoroughly organised and attended to." To sum up, what is called for is:— (i) Efficiency of management; (2) efficiency of labour; (3) co-operation and good-will between the two, the lack of which proves inefficiency of .either one or the other, or of both. (N.Z. Welfare League.)