CHANGE IN POLICY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31319, 15 March 1967, Page 8

CHANGE IN POLICY

Govt. Service Vacancies Government departments were now required to obtain the approval of their permanent heads before vacancies were filled, the district inspector of the State Services Commission in Christchurch (Mr A. O. Dare) said yesterday. He said this was “a minor change in policy.” There was no reduction in staff in any Government department, but heads had been asked to keep strengths at their present level. They were “keeping an eye on all staff situations.” Mr Dare was asked to comment on a report that one Government department was taking on only school leavers. There had been a lull in the last few weeks, but more school leavers had been appointed this year than last year, he said. Staff vacancies had been filled by leavers taken on in anticipation of vacancies arising. University and school leavers were preferred because efforts were made to ensure the Public Service remained a career service.

Mr Dare said he did not know whether any departmental heads had in fact turned down any requests from Christchurch offices to engage staff. However, staff was being engaged, he said.