OUR WAR EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1940, Page 7

OUR WAR EFFORT

BRITISH ECONOMY COMMITTEE. The House of Commons Economy Committee has begun its work, notes Mr Norman Crum]), financial editor ol the "Sunday Times." Il cannot be emphasised too strongly that a great deal depends upon how the Economy Committee does its work and interprets its duties. In the popular mind its duty is to detect and eliminate waste. No doubt ij will fmd much to do in this direction, for Britain cannot initiate a' powerful and complex war effort without some mistakes being made; and such mistakes are more apparent to an independent body such as the Economy Committee than to those engaged in the machinery of administration. Yel even here lies danger. Economy which takes the form of cheese-paring often causes new waste. In many cases the real crux lies in deciding whether or not a particular activity is essential. If it is not necessary, then it should be cut out. but if it is deemed essential, then it should be given the staff accommodation and equipment needed, for its efficient performance. Too often cheese-paring leaves the activity in existence, but starved of the facilities it needs.