THE STATE SERVICES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30366, 15 February 1964, Page 15

THE STATE SERVICES

Criticism Of New Act “One wonders if the State Services Act, 1963, will be marked as an important step in New Zealand’s descent into the police-, state,” says) a contributed article in the latest issue of the “Public Service Journal.” “What justification has been given for the undemo- . cratic changes in the new act?” the writer asks. “In 1911 a commission set up to investigate the Public Service recommended an administrative system which provided a reasonably democratic career service. “Half a century later another commission has been used to rubber-stamp- an act which sets this process in reverse.” “No act which was just and right needed fear the light of day or open challenge, the article continued. For 50 years this was true of all promotions in the Public Service. . • “It is now no longer true. The top 80 positions in the service are made by -a selfperpetuating body whose actions are open to neither challenge nor scrutiny. “If the appointments'made by the Higher. Appointments Board are to be just, it must be infallible. Are we now to see public servants elevated to the position previously held by dictators and God.”