PERSONALITY?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 14

PERSONALITY?

U.S. STANDARD NO GUIDE.

SEARCH FOR TAX MEN

(Special.—By Air Mail.) LONDON, Juno 22. The British Civil Service is searching for a guide to personality. An American method of measuring and analysing personality has been tried, but it failed. Now the National Whitley Council is to trv to establish a standard. Formerly a civil servant's qualities were assessed under 11 different heads.

But a smaller mesh was required in the official net, and Somerset House (Britain's taxing headquarters) subjected its officials to 100 different tests in its search for the perfect tax gatherer. Some of these teste were: Has he a cranky disposition ? Has he too much self-importance? Is he lazy? Does he talk too much? Does he lack snap? Does he watch the clock too much towards finishing time? Is he too blunt or outspoken? Is lie pleasant and cheerful? Has he a pleasant voice? Is lie careless of his personal appearance? Is he usually late? Is lie tactful in dealing with the public?

All these details served as "pointers" for discovering, assessing and grading personality and character. Rut that elusive thing called personality, even with the aid of the American invention, has baffled Somerset House. The National Whitley Council now hopes to produce a new yardstick of British origin.