MORE OBJECTIONS CLASSIFICATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 59, 6 September 1913, Page 9

MORE OBJECTIONS CLASSIFICATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE

MEETING IN CHRISTCHURCH. (nr TELEGRAPH — PRKSS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, sth September. A largely attended meeting of members of ,the Canterbury Branch of the Civil Service Association was held last evening, for the purpose of discussing the provisional classification scheme formulated by the Commissioners and to give final instructions to the delegates who are to attend the conference of the Civil Service Association to be held in Wellington on the 15th inst. The first question discussed was that in s connection with appeals against the classification list. It was pointed put that under the regulations when an officer appealed a copy had to be sent to the Commissioner as well as to the Appeal Board, and this was sent on to the board with any remarks that the Commissioner might choose to make. No provision was made for the officer appealing knowing what was brought against him. Several members spoke strongly upon the injustice of such a mode of procedure, and it was' resolved to ask that in all cases applicants should be furnished with a copy of these statements, that in cases where evidence was given veu-bally by ' the heads' of departments the appellant shauld be allowed to be present. It was decided to forward a request to this effect to the Commissioner. The question was raised as to why solicitors should be classed in the professional section and qualified accountants, surveyors, and engineers omitted, and it was decided that all officers holding professional appointments should be included in this section. A ' statement was made that in the classification some officers had not beengiven credit . for having passed a certain examination, while others, who had only partial passes, were credited with having passed in full. After discussion it was resolved to ask th« Commissioners to make careful enquiries as to the examinations passed by officers, with the object, of verifying the same and giving credit for either full or- partial passes. Ir- the course of a general discussion, it was stated that the provisional classification really meant a minimum wage, and that no power was given the Commissioners to give increases for extra merit, the only provision for increases' being an extra £10 for passing certain examinations. It was decided to request the Civil Service Conference to draw attention to this matter, and to endeavour to secure special consideration for merit outside examinations. The matter of officers handling large sums of cash and having to be responsible for losses was mentioned, and it was resolved to ask that in such cases a counter's or teller's allowance should be made as is, done in the Post Office and Savings Bank .Department. The opinion was expressed that in tho past officers of outside branches had not received the same consideration as those in the head office, although in iriany instances their responsibilities were greater, and this was perpetuated in the new classification. It was decided to ask that in cases where adverse reports were made against officers they should have an opportunity of seeing these and replying thereto before these cases were finally adjudicated upon. It was also resolved to, ask that when any senior officer was passed over by a junior, he should be entitled to receive reasons for this in writing. After further discussion on matters of detail it was resolved "that in spite of many anomalies which still exist, members of this branch appreciate the benefits of the provisional classification schedule."