THE EFFICIENCY BOARD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 5, 1 October 1917, Page 4

THE EFFICIENCY BOARD

The Government seems to have clone its best to redeem its blunder in losing for the country the services of the original Efficiency Board, and a new board has now been appointed. Fortunately Me. Massey •has been able to persuade Mb. W. Eerguson, chairman, of the late board, and two of its members, Messrs.'lkostick and Moss, to continue on the new body, which now consists of the - three gentlemen named, with Mr. £ H. Elliott, of Auckland, and Mr, Begg, of Dunedin, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. The loss of, the services of Mb.- Hunt, Duncdin, and Mr. Gunson, Auckland, is to be deplored, but it is not surprising in view of the Governments attitude towards the recommendations of the original board. While the country will be glad to know that an Efficiency Board 'will continue to carry on tho valuable work of its predecessor; and while it is. especially pleasing to learn that Mr. AV. Ferguson has consented to again fill the office of chairman,-the,fact, must be faced that the 1 .Government has shaken public confidence in the services which'may bo expected from the board. It is not merely that the Government has forced on to the board' two politicians who are already overburdened with work, and. who, by virtue of their public offices and political. training, cannot be expected, to political considerations, from the judgment they may bring to bear on questions affecting national! efficiency. There is further a suspicion very generally held'that the work of the board may be restricted and that? its reports, and recommendations may not: receive the ; consideration they are entitled to at the hands of Ministers. It is most desirable, therefore, that the Prime Minister should make clear what the Government expects from the new board, what powers it has been given,, and the .Ministers appointed' _to it intend, to take'in-its investigations and in the framing of its reports.