REWARDS FOR SERVICE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 12

REWARDS FOR SERVICE

Mr Diefenhaker’s

Findings (Rec. 10 p.m.) OTTAWA, May. 27. Doing some thinking out loud, the Prime Minister ot Canada (Mr John Diefen baker) told the House of Commons yesterday about the sort of rewards that attract top talent to the public service in Australia and New Zealand.

He said outstanding men often rejected Canadian Government posts because they could make more money in business. But he had met a number of outstanding men in the public service in Australia and New Zealand during his world tour last year, he said. “I am thinking out loud now. but I have often personally wondered why they remain in the public service at the salaries they receive.” he told the House.

“In speaking to these men of tremendous capacities and great abilities who were prepared to accept salaries far below what they could secure in private life, I said: ‘How is it?’

“ ‘Well,’ they said, ‘we have little rewards that go further than money can possibly go in compensating us. When we give years of devoted service we ultimately receive something, not in the nature of a title, but something in the nature of a decoration which will indicate the State’s appreciation for services rendered’ **