PUBLIC SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1927, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE

AMENDING BlfcL

PASSED BY HOUSE

MAKING APPOINTMENTS

The Public Service Amendment Bill was passed by the House of Bepresentatives yesterday afternoon.

Moving the second reading, the Prima Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates) said tho Public Service Commissioner had discussed the Bill with members of the Public Service Association. The association, had generally been satisfied with the provisions of the Bill, and had only suggested what were really not more than verbal amendments. These amendments would be considered, and could, if necessary, be made later on.

In reply to a question, the Prime Minister said that the Bill gave the Public Service Commissioner power to invite members of Parliament to see him in regard to certain matter!, but a member was not allowed to go to the Commissioner unless he was sent for.

The Bight Hon Sir Joseph "Ward (Invercargill): "This opens up the question of political control." . Mr. Coates: "I don't think so. The Public Service Commissioner still has the upper hand. He is on the box seat —on a throne. , (Laughter.) If he •wants,to see any of us he just sends for us." Sir Joseph: "Personally, I've never been to the Commissioner." Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt): "It's just, as well; there's a fine of £50 attachedv to it." (LaughteT.) The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) said he was not altogether easy in his mind about the provision that the Commissioner could invite- persons to discuss appointments ■with him. It might possibly have the effect of nullifying provision in the Act which prevented any person endeavouring to influence the' Commissioner. Mr. G. "W. Forbes (Hurnnui) describe ed the clause as a watering down of the bar previously imposed. There -was a possibility that some members of Parliament might fee able to get the ear of the Commissioner. He expressed the opinion that the time had arrived when there should be another overhaul of the Public Service by an outside CJommission. In regard to the clause in the Sill giving the Commissioner power to seek advice regarding applicants' qualifications, the Leader of the Opposition asked for further information on the point. While there might be a very, • great deal to be said for the matte* 1 from one angle there seemed to be much that could be said against it from the other. NO CHANCE TOR PULL. Mr. Coates' said the Crown Lawdraughtsman had advised that the clause was necessary as it brought the different branches of the Government service into line. Mr. Forbes: "Does it give a chance for political pull?" The Prime Minister replied in thenegative. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanjjanui) wanted to know whether the Commissioner, in dealing with applications, confined himself to the questions on the application form. He wanted to know what person the Commissioner would send for to seek information about an applicant. "Was there any case in which the Crown Law Office had had to intervene? Mr. Veitch was opposed to Commissioner control,' and maintained that Ministers should be responsible to Parliament for appointments. Mr. Coates said the Public Service Association very jealously guarded against any attempt made to undermine the Public Service Act, and the Government always took care to ascertain whether the association concurred with, proposed amendments. If there was any objection to the clause the association would be the first to complain. Mr. Wilford said it appeared to him. the clause was a way of "passing the audit." What was the reason for the clause? He always felt there was something behind these proposals. The Postmaster-General: "Thomas was always a doubter." (Laughter.) Mr, Wilford: "Yes, and it's just as well there are some of them about." Beferring to the clause empowering the Commissioner to institute inquiries into the conduct of officers without a formal charge or complaint, the Leader of the Opposition said the clause appeared to give the Commissioner remarkable powers. The Prime Minister said there was already power in the Act to provide for^ inquiries as to the conduct of officers. He thought the provision was a desirable one, and it had been agreed toby the association. • Mr. Veitch said the clause went very; much further than the present Act. Officers should have every opportunity of defending themselves. The Bill was reported with technical amendments. A WBONG IDEA. Beplying to a brief discussion on-the third reading, the Prim© Minister said there appeared to be an idea that the Public Service was growing at a terrific rate. Such an idea was entirely wrong. It was an easy matter to make the statement that New Zealand was overrun with Public servants, but it was a difficult matter to find any, foundation for such a statement. There had been a tremendous growth in several State Departments, but that was inevitable with the growth of the country. Taking the Bailway Department as an example, Mr. Coates said a few years ago the number of men employed by that Department was 8000, but to-day it was something like 18,000. In spite of that there had been a reduction in the cost of running per mile. Mr. Forbes had made reference to the need for a stock-taliing in the Public Service, but a stock-taking took place periodically. Minister of Finance" watched Jfce position very closely..The Prime Minister reminded" the House that owing to the bad- times the country had experienced it had been neces-, sary for Government Departments to take on large numbers of men in order to relieve unemployment. The Bill was read a third time and passed.