THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13358, 25 February 1909, Page 8

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

RETIREMENT OF OFFICIALS OVER SIXTY-FIVE. (FBCnC A COBBESPONoENT.) WELLINGTON, February 24. The decision of tho Government to retiro all Civil Servants over sixty-five years, is evideiitly as much a movement directed towards economy as anything else. Sir Joseph l Ward was asked if any distinctions would bo made in the retirements. He said, "None; wo cannot anake any distinction. Many of thoso who will retire aro -personally good and competent men, but wo cannot draw a lino without drawing it the. samo for all. It is never pleasant to sco old men who have served their country well for many years relieved of their positions, but thero is no doubt that from an administrative point of view tho step is necessary. It will mako for efficiency and economy. Some regard mu;.t also be .made to the reasonable claims of thoso men who stand next in seniority to those who have passed the age limit. If older men were to continue in office, these others mhght lose, in some cases, all opportunity of getting to the top before they themselves roach tho ago limit. Now that the superannuation schomo is in operation, it would scarcely be right to allow the age limit to remain a dead letter, but we aro making it sixty-five years instead of sixty, as vio might have done under the Act." Tho Piremder said it would lead to the saving of many thousands of pounds. Thoso who were promoted to fil. tho pjaces of retiring officers woukl not begin with salaries equal to thoso who wero their predecessors, and in some instances offices to be vacated would not Tequiro to be filled.