DUAL CAPACITY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 15

DUAL CAPACITY

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICIAL

QUESTION OF SALARY

A protest against the positions of Controller of Prisons and AssistantPublic Service Commissioner being held by one man was made in tlio House of Representatives yesterday, and owing to the fact that separate salaries for each position appeared in the Estimated the question was raised as to whether the holder was in receipt of both emoluments. Mr. R. M'Kecn (Labour, Wellington South) said that there was a general opinion that the Controller of Prisons, who was also Assistant-Public Service Commissioner, was giving most of his time to the duties connected with the latter office, and that there was apparently no need for a Controller of Prisons, as the work was being done by the office staff. He was not criticising the capabilities of the holder of the position, but did not see how oneman could nil the two jobs. Under the Estimates of the Department he was receiving £810 per annum as Controller of Prisons, and in another section there was £983 set aside for the Assistant-Public Service Commissioner. He asked whether both salaries were being paicl. , In reply, the Minister in Charge ot the- Prisons Department (the Hon. 0. G. Cobbe) said that the officer under discussion was receiving his salary from the Public Service Commissioner's Department. He thought that it was a distinct advantage to the service to have a man capable,of filling two positions. Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South) remarked that there was provision for both salaries. Perhaps it was the business man's way of keeping accounts. \ Mr. M'Kcen: "There is no check." Mr. Howard: "I would like to usk tlio Minister what does the officer actually receive?" Mr. Cobbc: "He receives about £983."

Mr. P. Fniser (Labour, Wellington Central): "Cannot the Minister give us tho exact amount?"

Mr. Cobbe: "He receives £1092, less 10 per cent."