MUTUAL DUTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21189, 12 August 1940, Page 10

MUTUAL DUTY

STATE AND COMMERCE CO-OPERATION FOR VICTORY (By Telegraph.—special to rimes) DUNEDIN, Saturday The duties of private enterprise to the Government and of the Government to private enterprise in wartime were outlined by the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, of Christchurch, in an address on “ Problems of War-time Business,” delivered at the annual meting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. Mr Mac Gibbon emphasised that when a nation was at war there were privileges and liberties held by all sections of the community which must be temporarily suspended if the maximum effort were to be made for victory. The duty which private enterprise owed to the Government in war was clear, Mr Mac Gibbon said. It must: Dedicate to the nation its facilities and its financial resources for the production of materials and primary products needed for the war. Submit to Control Submit-co-operatively to that regulation and control which might be necessary to concentrate and unite the economic energy of the Dominion. Organise itself so as to be ready to advise the Government on the problems of war-time economy. Increase its operating efficiency in production and distribution in order to save men and materials for essential services. . .Mere conveniences permissible in peace were serious w r aste in war. Assist the Government wherever possible in easing the sacrifices made by employees who enlisted in the country’s armed forces. Give wherever possible individual service. When New Zealand was at war all citizens were at war, and were, therefore, expected to apply their energy where it was most needed. Government’s Obligation The duty which the Government owed private enterprise in war was equally clear. It must: Provide wise and constructive leadership. War-time control over business carried with it the responsibility that the control should be exercised so as to create confidence and produce results but impose no unnecessary hardship. To this control business would co-operatively submit, but at the same time it must be remembered that peace lay ahead, and that our regulators and controllers should guard against unnecessary activities and misuse of their powers. Although the tide of State control being once advanced would never fully ebb, it should never be forgotten that we were fighting a war to preserve our democracy not to introduce a regimented State. We could, and should come out of the war ordered and organised, but still a democracy. Political Preference Avoid the extravagance of party politics. Guard , against political preference in war-time activities. Consult with men who knew the infinite ramifications and delicate sensitiveness of business. Make unmistakably clear the operation of all war-time regulations and control so that business might know each day how to meet its problem. Eliminate superfluous services ancl expenditure so as to release money and manpower for essential war activities. Select men and women for wartime duties according to their qualifications, not their willingness to help.’ “Politely Thanked’’ “In no carping sense of criticism it may be said that up to the present the Government has not been able to organise all sections of the community on a basis which will give the best result,” said Mr Mac Gibbon. “When organisations representative of all sections of the community tender advice to the Government, there is implied no lack of loyalty, no preference of private above national interests; there is merely an expression of the fact that the combined intelligence of a free community, self-disciplined for war, can assist in the establishment of a better economic organisation than can be made by one party in the State, no matter how unselfish or wellmeaning it may be. “I would like to emphasise just how disheartening it is to be continually offering in a most sincere manner co-operation with the Government, and to be gently but politely thanked and then ignored. Men of experience can be useful, and would gladly five their best.”