LONGER HOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 8

LONGER HOURS

IN CIVIL SERVICE

A BUMOUE DENIED,

Following on the Prime Minister's announcement, made on 26th February, that a committee was being set up to' investigate and report on departmental expenditure in the direction of economy aud efficiency in the Public Service, a rumour ■ has gained currency thai; it is likely that the working hours ©i Civil servants will bo increased in a similar manner to those of the Bail;way employees. It has been stated that in .future it is likely that the Civil (Beryiee working day would be from 8 «.'clock iv the morning until 5 o'clock in the evening. To-day the Public Service Commissioner (Mr. P. Verschaffelt) gave an emphatic denial to the rumour. "There is nothing in it," he said. "It has never been considered, and there is no prospect of it being considered." : Mr. "Verschaffelt added that there .were about.; 40 Departments which would come within the purview of the Economy Committee's inquiries^ consequently it would be from two to three nonths before the committee would be fn a position to make any report. In announcing the setting up •f the Economy Committee oh 26th February, Mr. Coates said that The trade figures for 1325 showed a less favourable balance, and he hoped that the drop in export values would not unduly accentuate the position. The tendency of imports to increase at a greater rate than exports, however, merited a note of warning as to overimporting, which, if continued, might bring about a reaction that will affect revenue. The present was a time for a review of the position, and the practice of economy both in public and private finance. Ths special committee of departmental heads would consist, of the Public Service Commissioner, . the Secretary to the Treasury, the chairman of, the Railway Board, and the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department. The committee would report as to the working of reforms that were recommended and adopted in 1921-22. The committee would be able to estimate the value of the changes then instituted, and would also,report as to further reforms and improvements in depai^ental control of finance. Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement, the "Public -Service Journal" says:— ■ "Although the advent of a similar committee in 1921 made certain recommendations some of which were carried out and others not given effect to, we do not believe that that conjmittee made any recommendations which prompted the Government to levy the quite unfair salary cuts which later transpired. In view of tho recent regrading of the service which resulted in a close scrutiny of expenditure on salaries,, we do not think that Public servant* should fear any investigations this committeo may make so far as personal remuneration is concerned. The result of its inquiries will be awaited with interest, and' we hope that on the occasion the Prime Minister may see fit to make public any report that is submitted to it. There is always a section of the community which has firmly planted in ita mind tho belief that expenditure on its ■ Public SorTice is inflated beyond reason. In the - Government's own interests, as well as in the interests of the great body; of service employees, publicity given tp ,the views of the heads of the three in** mmaa* eromM is ft sane move.",