THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14761, 3 September 1913, Page 10

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

a COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. LARGE ECONOMIES EFFECTED AMALGAMATIONS PREDICTED. INCREASED EFFICIENCY. (SPECL t. TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, September 2. The first annual report of the Public Service Commissioner was presented to the House to-day by the Prime Minister. The Commissioner gives a most comprehensive review of the service., summarises the economies which have already been effected, and out-lined the advantages which are already being experienced because of the operation of the new system. A lengthy discussion took place in the House on tho introduction of the report, and the Prime Minister promised to give a day within a month for the discussion of the report. SERVICE NOT EFFICIENT. "Although there are several departments, the organisation and working of which are of the highest order," sap the Commissioner, "it may be said broadly that the service generally was not found to bo in so efficient a state as it should have been. There has been, however, a marked improvement, and according to information received from certain heads of departments, there is now an enthusiasm on the part of members of tho service and a desire to improve the working methods, which was not before known. There is still, however, a great deal to be done to bring the departments into a thorough condition of efficiency, and no time will be lost to ensure the accomplishment of this, when the heavy work in connection with the final settling of the classification is completed. There is in 'the meantime abundant evidence to show that greater efficiency can be secured in many departments at a reduced cost of working." CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINA-TION. Under the system by which the Public Service was divided into a number of departments, there was little co-operation Between them. One of the most glaring examples was the lack of co-operation between departments and the Treasury. Although the latter department was in sole charge of the accounts of tho Dominion, it had not for a long time exercised its full powers. There had, for example, been no inspection by the Treasury, and no examination of tho method of account-keeping of departments, with the result that a mass of work was unnecessarily duplicated at considerable expense, and to the detriment of efficiency. Some departments p-jid little heed to the directions of tho Treasury, and in the past, when the Treasury had endeavoured to assert itself in simple matters, it had often happened that the Minister in charge of the offending department had been called in to support, his own officers, which lie would naturally do. TYPICAL DIFFUSION. The main departments, with few exceptions, did not appear to exercise even a casual control over their so-called subordinate departments. Theoretically there were sixteen main departments, but there were actually thirtythree, practically independent in all respects. Much unnecessary expense and waste of force appeared to be the result of this excessive subdivision. The Commissioners found, for example, that thero was a department known as the advertising office, which had been built up from small beginnings until the staff consisted of a clerk in charge at £350, an accountant at £230, with three clerks and a messenger—a total expenditure for salaries of £1198. This department was housed in quarters at a considerable distance from tho mother department ot Internal Affairs. On attention being called to the'matter it was found that the whole of tho work could be transferred to.the main department,,and tho expenditure reduced to £7C5. To remedy these matters recommendations had been made oy the Commissioners, the operation of which would be watched and reported upon. £47,000 SAY.ED YEARLY. After going in great detail through the investigation made into the Service, the Commissioner collates the details of economics which can be effected without difficulty. As it is only seven months since the Commissioners commenced their work, the list is by no means complete. Still it reaches approximately £47,000 per annum. Some of these economies can be effected at once, but in other cases it will be a year or more before the full effect of altered arrangements can be seen. It is not proposed to dispense with any officers who are capable of performing good work, as it is hoped that with the wastage of the Service by resignations and the general expansion, there will be no difficulty in providing for officers displaced. The savings are estimated thus: — • TREASURY— £ Reorganisation of arrangements for Imprest a'dvaiiocs and improved methods of accounting .. .. 11,000 Annual saving of stafi in. Treasury and other offices by reduction of duplication of accounts, etc. .. 5,000 Abolition of bookbinding of treasury vouchers .. .. - . .. 800 INTERNAL AFFAIRS— Saving in slail messengers' placet} not . filled .. .. .. .. 1,300 Saving in reorganisation of sub- - departments .. .. ... 1,300 STAMP ' DEPARTMENT— Saving by use of machines for stamping .. .. .. .. 560 LAND AND DEEDS— Saving by use of typewriters for recording .. .. .. 2,000 . Saving by improved arrangements for draughting work .. .. .. 600 - Saving by introduction of new system of records, all d?partmenta .. 1,600 REGISTRATION OFFICE— Saving by placing work in charge of Government officers .. .. 1,500 . OTHER OFFICES. Official Assignee, Christchurch—Work to be performed by Deputy Pubiic Trustee .. .. .. .. 300 Customs—Amalgamation, etc. .. 600 Government Insurance —Amalgamation with Post Office at Oamaru .. 200 Public Health —Amalgamation of Baotcriological- Laboratory with Wellington Hospital .. •;. ' .. 500 Alines—Position of one inspector to lapse on retirement .. .. 365 Public Service Superannuation—Amalgamation of positions .. - .. 300 Tourist Department—Amalgamation of positions .. .. .. 315 Improved methods of performing work in Land and Income-tax, State Guaranteed Advances, Customs, Lands and Survey, and Valuation Departments. Public Trust Offico, PuMjc Works Department. Machinery department .'-. •• f .. 14;300 AMALGAMATIONS IN VIEW. In addition to these economies there should be large savings in the Department of Agriculture or what was probably just as necessary, increased efficiency to the amount of the savings of at leasf £5000. There also appears, says the report, to be an opportunity for economies in the amalgamation of certain departments with others possessing interests more or less in common, and by the decentralisation already referred to, as well as the bringing of offico accommodation more closely into line with the requirements of departments. At the present time rentals amounting to £2920 per annum are paid for office accommodation in Wellington, and it is

suggested for consideration by the Government that it would be much more profitable to build than to continue to pay such an annual rental. With more modern office accommodation there would bo substantial savings. ADVANTAGES OF THE ACT. A short experience of the working of the Public Service Act has shown that the present system has advantages over tiie former one, says the Commissioner. (a) It enables a concrete view of the Service to be taken, and secures the benefits of co-operation between departments. (b) It enables means to bo devised to ensure economy and efficiency which can be applied to the Service as a whole or to sections thereof. (c) It places the recruiting of the Service on a basis whicu will result in a higher standard of efficiency. (d) It widens the avenues of promotion by enabling interchange between oliicers of the different departments. (c) It enables rapid discovery to be made of points of inefficiency or of wasteful methods of working. (f) It gives equal opportunity to all to enter the Public Service, and to proceed therein by merit and ability. (g) It creates a healthy rivalry between officers throughout the -Service. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. (PRESB ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, September 2. When the report was laid on the table. The Prime Minister said an afternoon would bo set apart for discussion of the Public Service Report within tho next month. Mr Ed again brought up the case of a man who, while employed on public works, had his hands maimed, and whon applying for reinstatement after recovery, was asked to produce a Fourth Standard certificate. The Hon. W. F. Massey said he would investigate the ca&e and see what oould bo done. The Hon. XV. I'iascr contended that a Minister of the Crown, could not interfere in matters of that kind. Several members mentioned that interference with the appointment of anyone to the Civil Service rendered members liable to a fine of £iiU. Sir Joseph Ward said dissatisfaction permeated tho wno-o of tho Public Service, owing to the operations of the Public Service Act. If the system were good, why, he asked, did it not apply to the railways, which in a few years from now would control over fifty thousand people. The Commissioners were responsible for the control of the whole Service, and the expenditure of huge sums of Sioney. One of two things would happen in tho near future—either the wliole of the rai.ways would have to be brought under tho system, or else the whole of tho departments at present under the Commissioners would have to be removed from their control. For his part, he believed the Public Service and railways of this oountry were the best in tho world. Ho did not believe that any Civil Servant should not approach a Minister to set right or venti.ate a grievance. The whole position was anomalous. The Civil Servants and heads of departments were controlled by the Commissionens, and their salaries were fixed and raiaed by the Ministry of tho day. Even the Commissioners' salaries were so treated. Mr W. D. S. Mac Donald contended that tho Government could not show where any saving had been effectod under the Commissioners. He objected to an irresponsible Board redressing the grievances oi the people of the country. Tho Prime Minister, in replying, said the Opposition would never have a chance of removing the Act from the Statute Book. The people wero quite satisfied with it, and would never allow the state of influence and "graft" of a few years ago to again come into the Public Service. It had been askod why the railways and police and teachers did nob come under the Act. Who. he askod, would suggest that teachers should sacrifice their independence? If anyone advocated that before the electors ho would never see the inside of Parliament." As to tho -Dolice, in no country in the world wcjre tbe police under any heed but the Crown. In connection with tho railways, he contended that in Australia Civil Servants were under tho control of boards, but in no cases wero the railways included. That branch of the service was always under thocontrol of Commissioners for the time being. With regard to the suggestions that the present system was undemocratic, he pointed out that several Labour Governments had prevailed in Australia, but no attempt had been made to repeal Acts "in force there dealing with economics. . The Commissioners' report was one of the most valuable and satisfactory ever brought beforo the Parliament of this country. BOARDS OF APPEAL". SITTLN-GS AT WELLINGTON. (rHESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, September 2. The members of the respective Boa.rds of Appeal in connection with the Pubiic Service Act—Messrs Peter Barr (chairman) and J. H. Richardson (nominated by the Government to act in the case of ail departments), Mr A. Mill (elected representative of Telegraph and Telephone Departments), Mr F. Si. Scully (Postal Department), aud Messrs A. Manryatt ana J. F. Mouat (General Service;, met in Wellington on the 20th. of August and sat'until today, for the purpose of considering matters of procedure in connection with the carrying on of the work of the Board. Mr H. Gerard was appointed acting secretary and stenographer to the Board. It was decided that in so far as classification appc-ais are concerned, tho sittings of the Board be closed to the public and Press, but that members or representatives of the Pubiic Service be admitted by ticket; the deliberations of the Board, after the hoamg of evidence is closed, to bo held in private. Tlio question of whether copies of the answers of the Commissioner be sent to appellants is to be. decided by the Board as each case arises, and when copies are sent, appellants will be informed that if they so desire, they may appear or be represented by a fellow officer before the Board. When appellants apply to be. heard by the Board, the requests shall be decided upon their merits. Cases of appeal under Section 56 of the Act (relating to questions of misconduct, etc.) shall be heard with open doors, unless in the opinion of the Board the circumstances are such as to render an open-Court undesirable; and appellant shall liave the right to be represented by counsel or an agent. The Board, in addition to meeting in Wellington, will hold sittings in Dunedin, Caristchurcli, and Auckland, and elsewhere, as may be decided upon, from time to time. The Board will meet next in Wellington ou or before the 29th inst. to deal first with the General Service appeals and then with those of the Telegraph and Postal - Departments. The order in which appeals from other districts will be dealt with will be then decided.