NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3029, 16 March 1917, Page 6

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

s LOCAL BODIES' EMPLOYEES SUGGESTIONS REGARDING WOMEN ■ WORKERS Tho following circular letter has been sent by tho ohairman of the National Efficiency Board (Mr. AY. Ferguson) to local bodies:— A National Efficiency Board has been formed by the Government, amongst other matters, to investigate in what manner tho national efficiency of the Dominion can bo increased temporarily duringj tho present war conditions and permanently when the war shall happily have ended. The board feels that tlio purpose for which it has been brought into existence is one that will meot with the hearty support and .co-operation of all local authorities, and therefore does not hesitate in asking you to obtain tor the use of this board and of,your authority a special report from |your engineer, or other responsible officer, dealing with any matters that may bo within his knowledge which would tend to increased efficiency in tho district under your control, both at the present time and in tho future. It is especially desired that the report should deal with— fa.) The works of maintenance, upkeep, and repairs: How far they can be temporarily reduced or i . postponed during the present crisis, and thereby render available the services of men for other purposes. If this is possible, what numbers and classes of men can bo released (labourers, carpenters, en-gine-drivers, mechanics, etc.)? (b.) New works that may be in progress: (1) How far they can be expedited towards completion; (2) how far they can bo carried to a sufficient partial completion as to warrant suspension ; or (3) whether thev can be completely postponed until after peace is declared, when labour will bo more plentiful and materials' cheaper. And, generally, what labour could thereby be released.? (c) Proposnh for new works: As to how far the execution of such proposals may be postponed whilst !:o;. delaying the preparation of any plans and data needful to' enable such works to be prosecuted with vigour when more favonrasle conditions exist. (d.) The. tabulation of schemes for desirable works, and the pre- ' paration of designs and estimates for same, so that on the conclusion of the war there may be in/ readiness for execution works of a' desirable character which would absorb surplus labour, both skilled and unskilled, should that be found to exist and require employment.

It is believed that in many cases (in addition to office work) the labour of women can he successfully utilised to replace or partially replace tho labour of men. In Great Britain large numbers of women are employed successfully in agricultural work" and navvying work, and in connection with the building trades. The women of New Zealand are, as a whole, physically fitter, and far more suited by oountry experience for such work than their sisters in the Old Country. For instance, there seems no reason why a woman should not undertake a large portion of the duties that now fall to the daily lot of a country roadman — riding Tound the roads of a district and carrying out the light duties of raking stones into ruts. Again, why should it be necessary to retain sailor men in the signal stations of the Dominion when their light duties could be equally well performed by women? It is anticipated that in many eases the wives or other female relatives of men in tho Second Division would be willing and anxious to undertake tho work of the men when called up, so as to keep the billets open for them on their return, and it is suggested that you should advise how far this can "jo done in the work of your authority. There will probably be many cases where men who have retired from your service will be willing to show their lo.valfc.v and render assistance to Hie country by again taking up their duties, or so much thereof as they may still be fitted for, aud thus release younger men who are required either for active service or to fill the places of those Who have gone. If there are any such elderly men known to you, I suggest that you should communicate 'with them forthwith, or, at; your discretion, communicate to me, as chairman of the National Efficiency Board, tho names and addresses of such 'men, and the class of work in which they are skilled or could undertake. Without knowing your local circumstances, it is impossible to indicate to you, other than by tho above general terms, in what direction you can assist, but 1 shall be very pleased to reply to any specific inquiries you may desire to make. The object of all of us should be to conscrvo tho forces of the country so as to render the maximum assistance to the Empire in this hour of need.