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Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15983, 18 August 1917, Page 8

Tho discussion in the House on bonuses to Civil Servants, showed what very crude ideas some 'members have regarding remuneration for work done. Strenuous objection was taken to bonuses granted to public servants who had really had to work harder, and had done the State valuable service in connexion with the war. There was an outcry, for example, bocauso a bonus of £200 -was given to one of the Civil Service Commissioners, who at tho request of the Government, took charge of the tremendous business operations in which this country is engaged, owing to the taking over of the export of our main linos of produce. Over thirty million pounds' worth of goods has already had to pass through his hands, and there is no doubt that in comparison with what would bo paid for such services in commercial lifo, tho remuneration given to this officer was paltry and pitiful.

The giving of a ten per cent, bonus to all Stato servants earning less than £300 a year, quit© irrespective of whether they had done any extra work, and any discrimination between married men with families and youngsters to whom the bonus was a pure windfall and an excuse for joy rides is, of course, considered quite right and proper. State servants are all linked together nowadays, and no member flares run the risk of alienating their votes. Hence tho general adhesion to the truly democratic idea that everybody earning less than £315 a year ought to receivo a bonus, but that on no account ought extra remuneration to bo paid to any public servant earning more than that amount, least of all if ho has done something to deserve it.

The tone of various statements by Brigadier-General Sir Robert Me C. Anderson since his return from Australia has been the subject of soma unfavourable corameni. Hq aripear-

Ed not only to be unduly egotistical, but also to blow Australia's trumpettoo loudly. One of his statements was that- Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Murray had told him that he (General Murray) would rather lose a division of British troops than a brigade of Australians. Some people have doubted whether General Murray could have made such a comparison, but if he did, the- contcnd, Sir Robert Anderson should not have repeated it. The "Argus."' which holds that such boasting will offend Australian soldiers more than anybody, says that the Minister of Defence should cause inquiry to be made as to whether Gcncinl Murray was correctly reported, and should in any case "express his displeasure, in which everyone will share, with Sir Robert Anderson for his obvious lapse from good taste." It is difficult- to understand how anybody could suppose that Australians would care to have their valour extolled at tho expense of their English comrades. 4 Those people who are forcing themselves to behove in the loyalty of organised labour will be staggered when they read this morning of the attitude of the Otago Labour Council. This body has issued a manifesto urging the Federation of Labour to direct a campaign "against the methods of the Government as adopted in their attitude in connexion with tho war loan." There is no reason why anybody should not have his own opinion of the terms ot tho loan, and criticism Wits not only right but necessary while the Loan Bill was before Parliament. But now that the loan is in process of flotation, it is everyono's duty to assist in making it a success, and any criticism of the prospectus should be in the way of suggestions which, if adopted, would increase the amount subscribed. Tho Otago Labour Council, however, clearly aims at having a campaign to arouse public hostility to the loan and to discourage workingmen and people of small means from investing in it. We should say that if such a campaign of opposition is set on foot those responsible may be guilty of an offence against the war regulations. Everyone knows that Germany desires very keenly that tho war loans of her enemies—and New Zealand is one of thoso enemies—shall be unsuccessful. Yet, knowing this, the Red Fed section hero seem anxious to play Germany's game.