PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25833, 18 June 1949, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF OTAGO SECTION DR. CAMPBELL’S VIEWS CRITICISED (New Zea Lana Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 17. Extreme resentment was expressed over the recent statements of the chairman of the Public Service Commission (Dr. R. M. CampbelD at a special meeting of the Otago section of the Public Service Association last evening. The following statement was made by the chairman of the section (Mr L. G. Eagles):— “Dr. Campbell is endeavouring to deprive public servants of their civil liberties, and appeal rights, and at tns same time is attempting to cause a cleavage between the elected leaders and the members of the association. As the commission is supposed to mean non political control of the service, members were convinced that Dr. Campbell was not consistent when on one hand he asked for the removal of civic rights, and on the other for the removal of appeal rights above £BOO. “If both these measures are implemented, we agree with Dr. Campbell that the Public Service would become a ‘football in party politics,’ and we consider that similar conditions would exist to those prevailing before the introduction of the Public Service Act, 1912. Political appointments could be made to the service without regard to the qualifications and experience of those already in it, thus closing the avenues of promotion. If these people gained admission to the service, how would Dr. Campbell then deal with them?

“The association is particularly concerned with the efficiency of the Public Service, and statements such as Dr. Campbell’s do not tend towards this efficiency, in that they affect the morale and integrity of the service. Before the formation of the Public Service Commission, relations with the Public Service Commissioner were on the highest plane. “This committee unanimously supports our leaders and strongly resents any interference with our political rights and with the paring away of any appeal rights. “The statement that relations oetween the commission and the Public Service were cordial and happy, but that those with certain people with authority to speak for the association were difficult, can not be regarded seriously, as the Public Service Commission does not come into contact with individual members of the Public Service in relation to association matters, and our leaders express Qnly those feelings which are conveyed to them democratically. “Apparently we are to have no civic rights, no appeal rights, and to work for less than comparable workers outside the Public Service.”