POST-WAR PLANNING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 188, 8 May 1944, Page 4

POST-WAR PLANNING

Criticism Of Committee Appointed METHOD AND PERSONNEL “The announcement by the- Acting Prime Minister concerning the setting up of an organization to plan post-war reconstruction will be received with considerable interest and some dismay,” says a statement by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. "It is gratifying to note that 'the Government realizes the necessity for plans to be laid appreciably before the end of hostilities for dealing with rehabilitation and other post-war problems. At the same time, the method it is proposed to follow appears to leave much to be desired. “Without calling into question the abilities of Mr. ,1. S. Hunter as a Government officer, the fact that the Government is setting up a 100 per cent. Public Service organization is giving a flavour to the situation that is not altogether palatable. “The head of the so-called Organization for National Development is a Public Servant with whom there will be associated an executive committee also confined to Public Servants, the whole being subject to a Government panel of Ministers, and the complete organization being under the direct control of the Prime Minister. There are to be no representatives whatever from the agricultural and pastoral industries, manufacturing industries, commerce, transport, finance and general trade. JNo attempt has been made to make available to the country, in the serious problems it will have to face, the wealth of experience and knowledge which those engaged in the production of the country’s essential goods and services possess. Scope of Deliberations. “Apparently the most that these essential groups can do is to submit recommendations which will be adjudicated on by a purely Public Service organization as to the merits of the proposals. Such highly important issues should' not be determinable in a manner such as this. Representatives of primary and secondary industry, transport, distribution, commerce, finance, trade, and the professions should themselves, together with important departments of State, be construed the executive committee, with personnel of the Public Service acting in a research and investigational capacity. it is that committee which should be in the position to make the necessary recommendations to the Government as to the lines of action that should be followed. “One other aspect of the matter concerns the terminology employed by the Actin-’ Prime Minister with regard to the ‘examination of projects, for reconstruction ’ Under reconstruction many useful things can be done, but the word is also the banner of cranky theorists who would put our economy on its head. ne reiterate a recent statement that no other agency than private enterprise can hope to provide full opportunities for returnin" servicemen, nor to lay an economically sound basis for the future. . . “The best reconstruction is in the reinstatement of private enterprise in our national economy, and recognition should be given to that by drawing on private enterprise for executive functions in the new organization that is being set up. “We urge on th® Government that it is not too late to select such a committee to play a responsible part ini the organization that has been, announced.