M.P. attacks ruling on customs travel

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32715, 18 September 1971, Page 23

M.P. attacks ruling on customs travel

.. (From Our Otcn Reports*) ” WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. ■ - The effectiveness of customs preventive officers is .'determined not by the Cus•toms Department which employs them but by the State .Services Commission—this is ■the conclusion of Mr T. M. ,’McGuigan (Lab., Lyttelton) ■after receiving the answer ;of the Minister of Customs XMr Adams-Schneider) to a •Written question. ’ Mr McGuigan had asked whether it was correct that ■travelling allowances payable To ship inspection officers at •Christchurch had been cancelled during times when 'public transport was not ■available, though these ex;penses were still being paid .in Auckland and Wellington.

•■■ “Customs preventive officers at Lyttelton are paid •travelling allowances when ;required for Sunday duty,” "Mr Adams-Schneider said. “This ruling was made by ‘the State Services Commission, which lays down the •conditions under which travelling allowances are granted throughout the Pub;lic Service.

.. “Early this year the commission decided the payaments which were then being ■made were not covered by ;the standing authority except ■in respect of Sunday duty. My department has contested ‘this ruling, and is seeking to ■have the allowances reinstated. The allowances are :paid to officers at Auckland •and Wellington as they comply with the conditions laid •down by the commisson.” ;• Mr Adams-Schneider emphasised that ther had been •no relaxation in the amount 'of "rummaging” (inspection •Of ships) done at Lyttelton. ;All suspect ships were covered by the staff there, as■sisted as required by officers ;from the flying squads. "It appears ludicrous that the department has to fight jhe commission to maintain

an efficient service,” Mr McGuigan commented. “Frankly, I am not satisfied with the Minister’s reply to the last part of my question either. “What is a ‘suspect ship’, and when does a non-suspect ship become suspect? I fear this is when it is too late. With the prevalence of drug and contraband smuggling today, every ship should be considered suspect. The position outlined by the Minister is completely unsatisfactory and should be corrected urgently to ensure adequate coverage by officials at all times.”