PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 271, 11 August 1943, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVICE

Officials Retained After Retiring Age Complaints by members of the Public Service that their advancement, was re tarded by the retention of officials who had reached the retiring age were mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Holland, during consideration of the Estimates in the House of Representatives last night. He said this meant that those lower down the ladder were denied their legitimate promotion, while their salaries and superannuation were also affected. The suggestion bad been made that the Government should consider the compulsory retirement of officers at the top, and if the situation demanded it they should bo re-engaged in some lower capacity. Tlie Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, said that there was a manpower emergency which had lasted a long time, and this meant a blockage in promotion and loss of salary. The question had to be reviewed. nnd he believed a satisfactory arrangement had been practically agreed upon by two of the services, and he hoped similar satisfaction would be obtained in regard to tlie other one. He had great hopes that the matter would be adjusted in a day or so, so that those affected would not feel they were being frustrated. . . Mr. Polson (Opposition. Stratford) saiil that; the Public Service Commissioner had stated in bis report that higher salaries were paid outside the Public Service. The Prime Minister replied Dial the wages of the Public Service wore stabilized like everything else, and there would be no increases other (ban scale increases. The Public Service li.'id gained very considerably under the jurisdiction of 'tlie present Government. If anyone expected tlie Government to keep pace with outside bidding for labour they were mistaken.