EFFICIENCY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3036, 24 March 1917, Page 8

EFFICIENCY

The Government made a big step forward when' it appointed the Efficiency Board, arid .to • quote the words'of one of tho' members of that Board, Me.- Hunt, the Board is proceeding step by step with the great task entrusted to it, undismayed by tho magnitude of the undertaking. . It has been already made clear that-the Efficiency Board is capable of rendering service of immense importance to the Dominion, and tho manner in which its members have set about their work has inspired confidence in their .capacity .and judgment. It is most desirable, therefore,'- that Ministers of the Crown in their travels throughout the country should endeavour to avoid entering into .pledges or promises which may be found later id conflict ' 'with the work of the Efficency Board and its sub-committees. or. boards of trustees,' or. which may.hamper the efforts of the tßo'a-rd. in its -endeavour to maintain our essential industries, while at the same time releasing as many eligible-men .as possible for active-service. Ministers, \of course, are quite=as anxious" as everyone else tosecure the .'best- results, "but they lack the lqcal Ttaowleclge" possessed by the district organisers appointed by the Efficiency.. Board, . and on their .occasional visits 'to.-the country rqay_ unwittingly, .give expression to views, and-opinions'likely to prejudice the efforts of the- Board's representatives ; n a given, locality. Ministers, we have, no doubt, will in the circumstances -be .'especially careful in giving expression to opinions bearing on tho question of the supply of agricultural and pastoral labour, and they would be well advised to consult with the local organisers or board of trustees wherever possible before voicing their views, on topics affecting locally this phaso of the situation. "National efficiency" is the watchword of tho hour, and it will not make for efficiency if Ministers say one thing and the Board 'of Efficiency say something >very 'different.' " The question of wheat growing vis one of tho matters on which there appears to be some diversity of opinion. • Tho Government' and the Board of Efficiency also, we : believe, are both urging that a special effort should be made to ensure ah increased sowing for next season. At first sight this seems a sound view. Wo must have the wheat, and the safest means of securing it.is to grow■ it ourselves. But is it the best and in tho circumstances the soundest'way? There-.are men of sound judgme'nt : 'who think Otherwise. Australia has an abundance of wheat; New Zealand does not grow sufficient for its requirements. Australia has ample labour for wheat growing; New Zealand is "hard pressed for labour- We can produce-meat, and wool,- and butter and cheese, which - are urgently needed by the ■ It is difficult to produce all tho wheat we want without losing men who are wanted in the fighting ranks. Is it not better, therefore, to maintain our production in those lines which we can export to the Motherland, and import the balance; of tho wheat we require from tho surplus which Australia possesses? The distance should bo no bar, for after all the greater part of our wheat comes from the South Island', and- from there to Auckland is nearly one-half "the - distance from-Australia, to Auckland. It is'a matter "of weighing •pros and cons—arid.'.the.'.'factor of most Importance is the utilising of pur man-power tol'the. best advantage. - ■ '■■■■ ,"..'''• .:..,''.-