NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3191, 15 September 1917, Page 8

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD

Sir,—lt is not , my intention/ i.ere to traversu the matters leading up to the present crisis between the Government and the National Efficiency Board. That ench .should have arisen is little short of a national disaster. Your able article: in this morning's Dominion' v;ill. I believe, have the biipport of tho great majority of the thinking people of the country. Uncertain of the exact lu-ture of tho negotiations that have lately been, carried on between the Government and tho board even the most active hare hoiitated !o move in the matter. Now, however, i(; seems clear that the country is iii danger of losing the distinguished services of Mr. Ferguson, and his colleagues. Is it not time citiz.ens wire up and doing to impress on tho Government that the counlry will not lightly tolerate the endeavour to sweep away these gentlemen, and their immensely valuable work before a wave ot political ingratitude? ■ ■< An immediate deputation eiiotild wait upon the Et. Hon. W. 1\ Massey, and urge that every endeavour shall be made to secure a continuance of tlie cervices of the members of the board wV.o have Golely in the public interests place: their ability, time, and close attention at the disposal of thoir country. Mr. Fergusson is known throiij?nq'it New Zealand as a man. of graat ability and courage, who has 'unselfishly laboured for many months purely from patriotic motives. The same can be said of other members of the Lo'ird. 11' is being so, it will be to the shame of that groat majority who appreciate tbeir work if every possible effort is nut jnade to retain them. Men of euch calibre are unlikely to be easily ijiflunnced to reconsider the step they have taJcen, and it. is the Government "itself that should exert tho necessary pressure. The time is short, and the occasion so great_ that steps should at once be taken to interview the head of the Government and iprevent aji event which may lead lo utterly destroy that very spirit of selfsacrifice and national service so vital to the country's needs just now.-I am, A. LEIGH HUNT. Wellington, September U, 1017.