PUBLIC SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE.

GALLING TIP ADMINISTRATORS. THE COMMISSIONER INTERVIEWED. "EVERYBODY POSSIBLE MUST GO." (Special to "Star.*')

WELLINGTON, this day. j The last ballot list contained so many j public servants in high positions that it was obvious that the Government is faced with the task of deciding whether or not a limit has to be placed to the "combing out" of its administrators. Wellington Military Service Board has heard a number of appeals from depart- ' mental heads on behalf of men hard to replace, and this question of providing substitutes has in some cases been referred to the Public Service Commissioner. To obtain his views regarding future policy, your correspondent interviewed Mr. Donald Robertson, who summed up his opinion in the phrase, "Everybody possible who can go must be sent."

When public servants are called in the ballot the method adopted is to consider the case, and if the officer is replaceable there is no appeal for him. In providing substitutes, it is evident from the conversation with Mr. Robertson and his colleague, Mr. Thomson, that the maintenance of the former standard of efficiency has to some extent to be sacrificed. "Those who have to deal with the public departments in the future," said Mr. Robertson, "must not expect to have their affairs handled with the promptitude of pre-war times. There must necessarily be a good deal more delay than the public has been accustomed to. The war has gone on for nearly four years, and all this time we have been taking on temporary "hands. Many of these have now had three years' experience, so this is an advantage. The ballots are now calling up men in responsible administrative positions, causing us greater trouble to replace than.' in the earlier days of compulsion." PUBLIC SERVICE IaSTIJBTMENTS.

The Commissioner expressed the opinion—and supported it with facts —that the public service has done well in providing men for the Expeditionary Force. One department he quoted has 1!) out of 23 eligiblee away, another 15 out of 22, another 13 out of 16, another 12 out of 18—the email recently-created departmenta hare been .hit hard. Coming to the position generally, it -was ehown that nearly 34 per cent, of the men of military age in the public service have joined the Forces. If the Post and Telegraph Department is included the percentage ie made even higher. Detailed figures were given up to date:— Enlisted. Public Service 1.272 Post and Telegraph (permanents). 2,078 Post and Telegraph (temporary) 277 The number of men of military age in the Departments of the public service outeide the Post and Telegraph is 3116. It is estimated that there are a thousand men of military age in the Second Division, employed by the Post Office. PROMOTION WHILE ABSENT. Mr. Robertson took the opportunity of explaining the care which is taken to conserve the rights of soldiere from the public service .while they are absent doing a higher duty. "Promotion," he said, "is carried on for those who are away, and if any vacancy occurs "we regard those -who are away ac applicants. In point of fact, we have promoted quite a number of men who are at the front, so that when they come back they can fill the vacant higher position." In reply to the question whether there was a sufficient supply of temporary employees, the Commissioner wae not particularly reassuring, especially in regard to Wellington, where so much extra work has been caused by the war. Applicants have had to be brought from other parts of New Zealand to meet requirements. Discharged soldiers are taken on in preference to anyone else, and the Commissioner referred (with satisfaction that the departments under his control •were the first to carry into practice the excellent precept: "Returned soldiers first."