Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1918. “NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1825, 11 May 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1918. “NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.”

THAT vague phrase,. “National Efficiency”—which lias been described as a “political prickly pear” —was treated masterfully by Mr S. H. Jenkiuson, chairman of the Technological! Section of the Wellington Philosophical Institute, in his inaugural address at Wellington on Wednesday. He exposed the futility of’ superficial phrasing about “scientific research,” afid said that one need ahead was not so much in familiarising industry Avith science as in familiarising science Avith industry .He discussed defects of the education system, and referring to the mind and mood of certain sections of Labour, he explained how any “go-sloAv” scheme—Avhieh practically meant; “Produce less, and consume more”: —must inevitably react against the Avorkers by a reduction of real Avages (necessaries of life and comfort), however high the rates as expressed in money might be. He emphasised the scantily appreciated truth that the Avelfare of all classes must be dependent on increase of production, Avith decrease of waste (in the broad sense of Avaste : time, energy, material). Such improvements had to be effected by social, educational, economic, industrial, and financial reforms, Avfiich he briefly outlined. His citation of eminent authorities in support of basic common-sense proposals Avas a helpful feature of the address. If lectures of this nature Avere delivei’ed to Labour organisations —a ml "Employers’ Associations —throughout the Dominion a better understanding avoulc! be arrived at by all parties, and the gap betAveen Capital and Labour bridged.