PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 254, 24 July 1935, Page 10

PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

Journal’s Frank Comment

INDEPENDENT TRI BUN A L FAVOURED

Inlcrostiiig comment on tin- prospective appoint n.ient, of a Public Service Conintissioner in succession to Air. P. D. N. Versehaffelt, who resigned while lie was in London acting :| s a legal adviser to the .Minister of Finance. Bt. Hott. J. G. Coates, is made editorially in the latest; issue of "The Katipo,” tlie ollieial organ of Hie New Zealand Post; and Telegraph Employees’ Association. Reference is also made genetall v |o the subject of commissioner control of the Public Service, with a final remark in the form of direct questions. “Seeing that, each of tlie departments has it's own administrative head, is there any need for partial commissioner control? What about the substitution of tut independent tribunal, working along lines of conciliation and arbit ration, for t he investigation of conditions and fixation of emoluments in tlie whole of the Public Service?'’ Tlie commentator for “Tlie Katipo’’ devotes most a t tent ion to a report in “Tlie Dominion'’ on July 13, which, inter alia, mentioned that, among three mimes then being freely discussed as in the running for a coveted post with a salary of £1240 a year under existing economic conditions was that, of Mr. G. McNamara, Director-General of tlie Dost and Telegraph Department. 2 .Mr, McNamara’s Position. "It is very evident.’’ observes “The Katipo.” “tliat: ‘long-rolling’ has already commenced with hopes of inlluencing the Government’s decision. Excepting for tlie fact that Hie Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr. G. McNamara, has been freely mentioned aw a likely appointee, the P. and T. Service io not greatly concerned with the present position, or will it be wilh tlie outcome if the Government’s deciwioii merely has the effect of maintaining tlie status quo as regards tlie jurisilietion of 1 he new commissioner. In other words, whoulil tlie Government’s choice fall on Mr. McNamara because of his proved adminis-trative ability ami initiative (which has been called into the service of the Government in many new directions during recent yearw), then there would be general regret ami I’. and T. oliieers would feel that they were called upon to suffer a loss, which -would b-? incidental io the loss of the public, because of national gains that can be said to be more ostensible than real." It: iw etnrihns'ised that Mr. .MeNaniarn is not an olliee-seeker. “’That he is not seeking the office of Public Service Commissioner is well known in Post and Telegraph circles,'at least:.so, while he is as anxious to slay as the P. and T. Service is desirous of retaining him in hits present, position, there can bo no doubt whatever if his transfer is effected that it will signify the Government’s expressed wish—nothing more and nothing less. We are positive about this because .Mr. McNamara’s attituda of wishing to stay and administer tlie I’. and T. Department was iiwcaled when there were earlier rumours, if not definite plans, involving changes in administrative posts.” “Experiment Not: Justified.” "The Katipo'’ writer says definitely that "the system of commissioner control has not justified itself us a political experiment, ,-iiid its whole history is one of retrograde movements which make 'Public Service’ a misnomer to-day because of the small proportion of public servants left: under the system. Even the commission itself has dwindled from the original three to one, giving arbitral,y powers to the individual which were never intended. These are points which we would have expected the Press to have taken up when the resignation of the one eoniniissioner alTorded the opportunity to bring tlie whole system tinder impersonal review.” It is also noted that the effects on the .superanniialion fund of the retirements of the Secretary to the Treasury and the Public Service (’oinmissioner are of vital interest, to all public servants; "for with only 35 and 31. years’ service respectively these two ex-ollicial.s are to draw about fltitlO per annum between them out of the fund. And yet. just a few short months ago. these two teclinical advisers stood behind the Government to impress upon the thousands of contributors that drastic ctii'la ilmenf. of retiring provisions was necessary to stabilise the fund.” Four Now in the Running. Not as an exercise of “log-rolling.” but merely as a chronicle of current discussion in many departments of the Stale, it: may be reported tliat four names are now "in the riinning" for the vac, -ml post of Public Service ('onmiissiiitier. these being: Mr. It. L. Dullard, Under-Secre-tary for Justice; .Mr. J. 11. Jerram. general manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, who is particularly mentioned because lie is the senior of them all; Mr. G. McNamara. Direcfor-Genreal of the I’osj ami Telegraph Department; Mr. ’l’. .Mark. Secretary to tlie Public Service Commissioner's Ollieo. Nor should it bo overlooked that: when tlie leading Ministers of the Crown return from London they may have in view someone who has not; ye, been mentioned as in’ the running.