LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3171, 23 August 1917, Page 6

A SERIOUS QUESTION THE. EFFICIENCY BOARD AND THE A GOVERNMENT. Sir,—l hope your pertinent leader of today s date on "Efficiency" will not bo lost sight of. When the National Efficiency Board was 'set up there was a natural suspicion expressed that it was the result of the bad political habit, of setting up commissions to enable Ministers to evade their responsibilities.' But when it became known what able men were undertaking the work, without payment for their services, it was at once raised to a higher level. It is recognised that they have done valuable work, but tho results of their work is lost unless their recommendations /are carried out or "shown to be wrongly arrived at! The personal sacrifices they have made have, been large, and they a're justified in asking their fellow-citizens, and even politicians, to' make- 'largo ones for the sake of -national efficiency. That the board should tender their 7'esignation so soon after Cabinet has considered an important batch of their recommendations is a serious matter for us all, and is likely to prove Ministers if tho resignation is-'accented. "It is evident thero is a great difference of opinion between tho Government' and the board which .it set up—the one a body who have given special study to tho questions dealt with and who-are independent of political patronage; the other a body shackled by old Itolitical customs and the ties of.' vested interests. '

The'position arrived at raises a question of vital interest to all citizens, for tho community is opening its eyes to tho fact that this great war is not to be won by money, munitions, or men, but by that side,which devot£s'its powers in tho right spirit—the spirit of self-sacrifice for tho great commonweal of mankind. The British Empire entered the war in that'spirit, but sho is made up of individuals, and here and there, wo have seen her grievously' hampered by tho selfishness of small groups. New Zealand, though one of tho smaller States of the Empire, becauso of her prosperous finance has an opportunity to do immense service by organising her resources and labour in the most efficient way. It calls for strong men. It cannot be seized by •men who question how their action will affect thoir political position. It is a great opportnnitv for men to throw off the paralysing habits of the past and act as leaders rather than-sails for public opinion to push along. And the country, is ready to follow leaders who reasonably take risks and ask for sacrifices. If the Government acepts the re. 6ignation, wiU it appoint a new board, or will the National Efficiency Board disappear? In either case a full explanation should be given to ns, the people, whose business both board and Government are ministering to.—l am, etc., WILL. B. MATHESON. 'Tiratahi," Eketahuna. -