RETIRING AGE OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1322, 28 December 1911, Page 2

RETIRING AGE OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

Sir.-ln your issue of October 1!) last, 1 note, under tho heading "Aged Civil Servants," Sir Hcrdinuj asked tho Priiuo Minister, "Why oflicors who have reach-ed-the ago of sixty-fivo years and over have not been retired from the public sm-ice.- and the Premier gave an ovasivo reply., ' Now, sir,' through the columns of vonr wide y-read and able paper, if you "will kindly grant me space, I would say there should bo no exceptions to tho rulewhen a man reaches tho superannuation ago he should bo retired. For not only is he keeping other officers out of promotion, but blocking every officer under him from ever gaining- the superannuation amount he would Le entitled to if the legitimate course was followed. It is -a wonder to mo how any man with the instinct of a gentleman can do such a thinp For .instance, take the enso of a man clinging to office who is over tho a*e limit, ami whoso retiring allowance i« maybe, live hundred a rear, keeping unfortunate 'men out of what to them may bo a great help in their old ago; and whose allowance may bo not a fourth of the above sum. As for a. man's services being indispensabe, tins .is all claptrap and humbug. Any. Minister who is worth his salt ■or position can in a short timo rim anv of the Government Departments, as all that is required is the information supplied, and then his judgment exercised. As Mr Massoy told the Premier the other day: Iho grass will grow, and New Zealand prosper after both of us have joined the majority." j<""<-u Partisanship should bo no recommendation for any man in the Civil Service, nor should it bo a means of inflictiii" injustice on others. A man, if ho is "\ man should be capable of doing his dutv to whoever is in power, irrespective of their politics. And no Minister should encourage by promotion or reward anv man who shows himsolf a servile sveripliant.—l nan, etc., ' • "PBOTEST."