ARE THEY UNPOPULAR?

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 8

ARE THEY UNPOPULAR?

COMMISSIONERS AND THE SERVICE. SOW RESOLUTION WAS DEALT WITH. OUTSPOKEN OPINIONS. MINISTERS DEFEND THE SYSTEM. JBy Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The whole of this afternoon yvas occupied by the House in a discussion ou the merits and demerits of the Public Service Commission scheme, made possible by Sir Joseph Ward moving to introduce a Public Service Amendment Bill, as promised by him when restrained last Friday night from touching on the service conditions and grievances of officers iv the Post and Telegraph Department. Sir Joseph stated that his object in moving the bill was to put on record the complaints of postal officers who interviewed the Public Sen-ice Commissioners. It had been the custom of the Post and Telegraph empjpyees for 20 years to place before the Minister the matters they desired to raise. After their conference this time they were in the position of a water-logged ship. They steered a certain course and suddenly found themselves denied an interview. They could go no further. Hoyv did the Postmaster-General feel under the circumstances?- Though he controlled the whole service and was responsible for its efficiency, he could not give his advice or kindly assistance in the position under fear of a penalty of £50. It yvas the first time in the country's interest when the representatives of the Civil Service could not approach the responsible political head to submit their grievances. ]t was a very* unhappy and undesirable iimdition of affairs. DESPITE ALL CRITICISM. The Hon. Mr Herdraan said he contended that, despite all criticisms, the alterations that had occurred to the service by reason of the Act were of incalculable benefit, both to public servants and the general public. As to the case in question, no facts were produced to support the resolution submitted, and this absence of facts was admitted. The Commissioner said, in effect, that if the resolutions were altered the matter would be considered. The officers declined to submit their grievances in a respectful and proper way. and afterwards declared they had been flatly Tefused a hearing. He (the Minister) believed the- Co-nmis-aiaedtttely;-instated in. taking

up the. attitude they did. They yvere insulted by such a resolution, and yet the officers would not yyithdraw it. I APPEALS AND PERCENTAGES. J He contradicted the suggestion that j there was dissatisfaction throughout the Post and Telegraph Department owing to the reclassification. He eveu contended I there was more satisfaction than in 1801, as against a percentage of 17.24 of appeals in ISOI there were only 8.0 this year. Sir Joseph Ward: That is very unfair, because every year since then officers have had the right to appeal, which keeps the number much smaller. Mr. Hen-man: That does not affect the position, for there is a re-classiflca-tion of the whole service. Sir Joseph Ward: It makes upon the whole a very- great difference. Mr. Herdinan went on to say that, as compared with the Commonwealth, the post and telegraph officers of New Zealand were generally in a much better position, die contended that Neyv Zealand ability had characterised the work of the Commissioners, and, to his mind, the amount of satisfaction and success that had attended the act in so brief a period of practice had been amazing. THE EWE I-AaEB..ATTACr-ED. " It is only to be expected that the Minister of Justice should defend his ewe lamb wilien attacked, but what has the Minister of the Postal Department to say?" asked Mr. Hanan, in a bantering tone. He went on to contend that the Commissioners had resolved to gag and bluff these men from the start. A tone of 'bounce and resentment was evident right through. He ventured to say that not even the Minister would have adopted the high-handed and so arrogant a manner as had the Commissioners. That a service which is in such a high state of efficiency as the Post and Telegraph service should be in so dissatisfied a condition .was of itself sif-nili-cant. said Mr. Hanan, adding. "Are these men to go before the Commissioners with bated breath ami on bended knee?" The member for Invercargill went on to hold up the bogy of political influence to ridicule by quoting from the experience of the Commonwealth as declared by speakers in the Australian Parliament. Both political and club influence were well known to be associated with the Commissioners' system, he said. REMOVAL DESIRED. At present the public servants of Wellington were dissatisfied, and desired the removal of the Commissioners. As for the paucity of appeals, the credit of that was due to the capacity and administration of Sir Joseph Ward. Now the blight of officialism was coming over the country. (Ministerial derision.) "At the next election, however, the people of the country will give their mandate respecting this much-vaunted but vicious system." -~r,c.iii<-in- \Tr L fg.Tn-.-n,

POSTMASTER-GENERAL SPEAKS. The Hon. Mr. Rhodes refuted the idea that his department was being assailed. It was nothing to do with hie department, but with the Public Service Department. He denied that yie Commissioners insulted the deputation—rather the insult was the other way. They made reflection without foundation. All through the interview it was evident that the Commissioner-* asked for facts, but these were not forthcoming. When the delegates decided tiiat -they could not witihdra'w the resolution the Commissioner announced that the interviewcould not proceed, remarking, "I am extremely sorry, but we regard this as a very great slight on the Commissioners." He was not prepared to admit I that the service was die-satisfied, though he know that attempts had been made to stir up trouble. The new classification list prepared by the Commissioners increased the expenditure on salaries from £700,000 to £800,000. He guaranteed that if the delegates came to (him with similar reflections he would have requested them to withdraw. The officers ca-me to him after their conference, but he had ito refer them to the Commifisioners. Sir Joseph Ward: You ought to be fined £50. Tbe Minister: There i-5 no fine, for giving advice. TAKE A SECOND BALLOT. Mr. W. A. Veitdh (Wanganui) thought that the Commissioners had been altogether too Uiin-skinned over the matter. They had been too careful of their own dignity, and not 'mindful of the dignity of the postal employees. It would have been much better if the Commissioners had adopted a more kindly attitude. After all. if these men felt that way, why should not they say so to the Commissioners in polite terms? Would the Commissioners be prepared to take a secret ballot on whether that resolution was warranted or not? Here was a fine chance to put the secret ballot to the test. Sir Joseph Ward: Take a secret ballot on whether they wished to remain under ihe Commii-sioners or not. '.Mr. Vpitch added that the deputation represented the whole service, and if it had to put forward an unpleasant resolution there was no reason for personal humiliation. VALUABLE TACT. Dr. Newman suggested that the Commissioners, by cutting down the usual £10 increases of low-paid employees to £S had been niggardly. Tact was a valuable thing, which settled many disputes. The Hon. Mr. Herd-nan: Do you sar theTe was no tact exercised in this case? Dr. Newman: Yes. Tho Hon. Mr. __«_«»_: Then you I—Xow-nothing __"aut .iW *

BETTER CHANCE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. "If the post officials have been treated badly, surely 8.4 per cent is a modeet number of appeals," said the Hon Mr. FieheT. He contended that, among other privileges, Civil servants would have a much better chance to obtain full civil rights under the present system than they ever possessed previously. The Minister of Marine was still speaking when the arrival of the dinner adjournment cleared up the debate.