NOT A PRINTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1937, Page 11

NOT A PRINTER

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

APPOINTMENT QUESTIONED

Although members of Parliament who discussed the Estimates for the Printing and Stationery Department in the House of Representatives this morning praised the ability of the present Government Printer as an accountant, several questioned the advisability of haying a man who was not a practical printer in the position. . The Minister irt Charge of the Department (the Hon. P. C. Webb) said that it would be an advantage to have a man with a knowledge of all branches of the work, but it was even more necessary to have a man with business and administrative ability.

Theiappointment was first questioned by Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North), who said that opportunities should be given to the men who' had done all their work in the Printing Office to rise to the highest position iin the office. -

■ Mr. C. H. Chapman (Government, Wellington North) said that he regretted that it had been found necessary to go outside the ranks of practical printers to appoint an accountant. He realised that the Government Printer had to-be an organiser rather, than an expert in any branch of the trade. The printing industry was highly specialised, and a man could be an excellent specialist without having the aptitude to. control the whole business. The appointment of a' man from another Department was an experiment that he would watch with interest, and he wished the Printer, the best of luck.

Mr. Chapman also questioned the salary of the Government Printer, arid said that it should be increased*

The Minister said that the Government Printer had. been appointed by the Public Service Commissioner after the applications for the position had been given careful consideration. There could be no question about the ability or the suitability of the man appointed. While it might be ; argued that the Government Printer should have a practical knowledge of all branches of the trade, and he realised that that would be an advantage, it had to be admitted that the man "who was to manage the Printing Office must have a trained business .mind and ability to organise. The Printer was doing excellent work, and had initiated a progressive policy.