8
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To transfor the so functions to the new Department would be to embarrass it with work which would submerge the real functions for which it is boing created. Meanwhile the S.T. & I. is itself being embarr-
sed by staffing difficulties because members of the staff roalise that
Department will not continue indefinitely, that they are merely on a temporary basis, and have little hope of securing employment of a permanent nature. Consequently an adequate staff at present salarios cannot be obtained and the efficiency of the Department is suffering as a result. IT IS HELD THAT NEITHER THE EFFICIENCY OF THE S.T. & I., NOR THE PRESENT I. & E. DEPARTMENT NOR THE NEW DEPARTMENT VO ULD BE INCREASED BY PITCHFORKING WHAT IS LEFT OF THE S.T. & I. INTO THE I. & E. DEPARTMENT It would merely result in the I. & E. Department concentrating on a series of new functions (which it is hoped will ultimately disappear from Government) at the expense of the new duties it ought to undertake.
•
The solution appears to be that some permanent staff which could be ultimately of value in the new Department should be recruited for the S.T. & I. and used as a stiffening of the temporary staff until such time as the rationing, Government procuring and distribution are torminated. This permanent staff would, however, be selected primarily with a view to its employmont in the new Department. Thus as the new Department got into its stride it would absorb the permanent personnel of the S.T. & I. and at the same time the S.T. & I. would be fading out and would not require this porsonnel. Thore would be some difficulty in timing, but it is not anticipated that this would not be insuperable. The implementation of this memorandum would take place in two stages: -
i.
ii.
A "Secretary for Industry" would be employed immediately, but would be seconded to the S.T. & 1. Department in the first instance, and placed in charge of the industry section. When the S.T. & I. Department ceases to allocate raw materials, the Secretary of Industry would move from the S.T. & I. to the new Department, bringing with him his accumulated fund of knowledge on local industrial affairs.
The candidate for this post would, in the opinion of the writer, be about 28-30 years of age. He should hold a degree in Economics or Commerce and should have had some years practical experience in industry or in industrial research. Preference should be given to a candidate who has had direct contact with the British textile industry.
The success of the new Department will dopend in a large measure on the quality of the staff who will fill the two posts mentioned above. It is therefore essential that the greatest care should be taken to chose competent staff, The dominant question is not WHEN the new Department shall begin to function but HOW the quality of work which can be expected from it when it is in operation.
iii.
VI.
The Secretary for Economics and junior staff would be recruited when there is office space in which to accommodate them. The type of candidate required for this Post will, in my opinion, bo very difficult to get immediately, owing to the lack of University students during the war.
OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT:
There is little doubt that the present office space of the Imports and Exports Department would be inadequate to house the proposed Department. The present I. & E. Department is overcrowded and has not nearly sufficient space to cope with the domands made upon it.
Someday the KING'S BOND may be built offering sufficient godown space to house all imports of dutiable commodities when brought into the Colony. It is possible that in such a building adequate office accommodation could be installed for the new Department. The day when such a bond will be built however, is probably far distant and some