The Civil Service

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 307, 22 September 1943, Page 6

The Civil Service

Si r _'n lc average civil servant is, without doubt, the most poorly paid worker and the most poorly treated in the community, taking into consideration the work which lie is called upon to perform. 11 is wages remain practically at the same level as in pre-war days. Cost of living bonuses, while providing some relict, have not nearly compensated for the heavy increase iu the cost of living. A coni pie te overhaul of salary and working conditions is long overdue and should not be postponed any longer. The war should not be accepted as an excuse for postponing (he matler. We arc able to afford the luxury of an election in spite of the war. We have the case of the man, to (leal with only a few of the injustices and anomalies in the service, who, as the result of the depression conditions, was compelled to accept a low wage on joining the service. lie carries out work of a higher grade than that for which lie is paid and very often, on account of his valuable outside experience, is bolstering the position of other highly paid officers in bis department. There is also Die case of the man with professional qualifications, whether in accountancy, law, science or administration, who is classified as a clerk, but actually carries on professional work. His salary is only a fraction of that to which he should be entitled, but he is unable to obtain proper recognition of his position. These men, who have done splendid work, are being sweated and the Government is taking advantage of their misfortune in having to take refuge in the service, very often through Government encroachment on private business. Some of these men have had opportunities recently to return to private positions where greatly enhanced salaries are offered, but, on account of Die service being an essential industry, they arc unable to accept the positions offered and continue to be exploited. Is it any wonder that the Rublie Service is seething with discontent and a feeling of frustration? When that great statesman of beloved memory, tlie late Hon. M. J. Savage, on becoming Prime Minister, restored the salary cuts anil gave the Civil Service a Christmas bonus, I hoped that the Public Service was on the verge of an era of proper recognition, but, alas, my hopes have not been realized by subsequent developments.—l am, etc., CIVIL SERVANT. Wellington, 'September 20.