Department merger report

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 19

Department merger report

PA Wellington Greater co-operation between the Lands and Survey Department and the Forest Service would be a useful step towards an eventual merger, the Minister of Lands and Forests, Mr Elworthy, has said. Addressing a Lands and Survey farm managers’ conference in Palmerston North, Mr Elworthy said he had a report by various > Government departments on a possible merger. The report has yet to be

considered by the Caucus Committee and Cabinet, he said. Mr Elworthy said the report suggested there seemed to be scope for increased co-operation and co-ordina-tion in the activities of the two departments. “It would not mean any formal integration of the staffs of the two departments and thus would not require the relocation of staff and the redrawing of boundaries. “After several years pro-

gress could be reviewed, the problems identified, and we could stand back and look at the experiences to date,” Mr Elworthy said. “I see this option as a sensible and useful step towards an eventual full merger while at the same time giving us adequate practical experience for what might be expected.” Mr Elworthy said no decision on a merger was about to be made and it was never the intention to proceed with a merger at any cost.