H.—43

5

Voluntary Services. The work of the whole of these Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice, as also the services of the Expert Advisers to the Commissioners, and of every person connected with the scheme (except the secretaries and the clerical staff in the offices of the Commissioners), is given in a voluntary manner. In some cases the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by these Boards and Committees are being defrayed, but in many instances no claim is made for their travelling or secretarial work. Expert Advisers. While the Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice are available to the District Commissioners for consultation upon local matters, the Commissioners at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin have also attached to their office Expert Advisers who are rendering very valuable service in assisting Commissioners with advice in regard to agricultural, pastoral, and labour matters. These gentlemen have voluntarily given their services, but are entitled to a travelling-allowance and locomotion expenses when travelling on the Board's business. In the Wellington Military District, as the Commissioner, Mr. Moss, has special knowledge in farming and in dairy and industrial matters, it has not been found necessary to obtain the assistance of an Adviser in these branches. (For list of these expert advisers see Appendix VJTT.) Appended hereto will be found a list containing the names of members of the Trustee Boards and of the Committees of xidvice (Appendix VI). Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice. The National Efficiency Board desires to place on record its great appreciation of the willing and capable services rendered by the individual members who have come to the assistance of the Board and who have formed the various Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice, and also especially those gentlemen who are acting as Advisers. The Board anticipates that the services of these organizations will be willingly rendered in connection with any proposals adopted to provide for the carrying-out of permanent schemes for increased national efficiency after the war. Reports to Military Service Boards. In addition to the management of soldiers' farms and businesses these Trustee Boards and Committees of Advice are rendering useful service both upon general matters and by furnishing reports for the guidance of the Military Service Boards upon cases of appellants. In order to arrive at a true estimate of a case a, Military Service Board frequently finds itself in need of information bearing upon local conditions and of a personal nature as regards tlie appellant. Provision has accordingly been made that upon a request from a Military Service Board the Trustee Board may furnish a report through tho District. Commissioner. A circular to Trustee Boards was issued (Appendix VII) seeking information respecting (in cases of inquiry) the business and financial position of tho appellant ; how he stands with regard to necessary labour for the carrying-on of his farm or business, and what arrangements can be made for replacing him; how in the opinion of the Trustee Board his farm or business will be affected as a going concern by his absence; who are the dependants of the soldier, and how they will be affected by Ids absence; in cases where the appellant is an employee, as to whether his employer can get some one to take his place; the extent to which the employer's farm or business will be affected by the calling-up of the Reservist. Further, the Boards are requested to report any other special information asked for by a Military Service Board or by the National Efficiency Board in the public interest. Although, as already intimated, the number of trusts entered into or in process of execution is comparatively small, the amount of work done in connection with visits to estates and inquiries made as to the position of soldiers, and in response to requests for information from the Military Service Boards and the Recruiting Board, has been very great, amounting to many hundreds of cases, and it is believed that the results have been of material service both to the individuals concerned and to the State. Conference with Military Service Boards. A conference was held between the Chairmen of the Military Service Boards and the members of the National Efficiency Board, which was convened by the Minister of Defence and presided over by the Minister of Munitions, at which various matters were discussed with the object of arriving at a uniformity of policy and the conditions under which the services of the organization of the National Efficiency Board could be utilized. Cases concerning which advice lias been sought have been numerous, and it is believed that in some instances the interests of the Dominion have been conserved by the information supplied. It is anticipated that this work will materially increase as soon as the Second Division is called up. There still appears to be considerable difference in the methods of working and the decisions of the Military Service Boards in relation to the men in the " essential " and " most essential " industries. Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. The Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board advised the National Efficiency Board that when reviewing cases it found in some instances it is desirable to have local information respecting the position of applicants. The services of the organization of the National Efficiency Board were therefore placed at the disposal of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board fm- the purpose of inquiries. Benefits of Co-operation. The Boards of Trustees and Committees of Advice are also rendering v.iluablc national service in many districts in connection with the more economical working of the farms through co-operation of labour and of machinery and plant, which it is expected will have beneficial