ENDLESS EXAMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 18, 21 July 1939, Page 11

ENDLESS EXAMS

LIFE-LONG TESTS

PUBLIC SERVANTS COMPLAIN

(By' Teiegrapb—Press ' Association,;!

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

Strong views were aired last night at the largest meeting of public, servants ever held in New Plymouth;when disapproval was . expressed- of .the efficiency tests and promotion examinar tions recently, introduced by .the -Public Service Commissioner. ;

It was apparent from the. extraordinarily attendance of public servants, not only from New Plymouth but also the outlying districts, that something serious was on their minds, .and from the outset Mr. Millar, General Secretary of the New Zealand Public Service Association, Who was paying his annual visit to the district, was bombarded with questions concerning this vital matter, which was circularised to the various Government offices on Wednesday. It concerns the question of' "efficiency tests and promotion examinations for the professional, clerical, and general divisions" of the service which the Public Service Commissioner has seen fit to impose upon all officers, irrespective of whatever examination qualifications, whether it be by degree or professional examination, any officer may have, before he can rise above certain salary bars. These tests are four in number, and officers have to be on certain salaries before they are eligible to sit the tests. Virtually, the effect is that an officer will never be finished with examinations during the greater part. if not the whole, of his service.

Numerous officers strongly aired their views on the matter and.the following resolution was carried unanimously:— ..

"That this large and representative meeting of Taranaki public- servants expresses strong disappro\'al and indignation towards the Public Service Commissioner's recently-published efficiency tests and promotion examinations, and assures the executive committee of the New Zealand Public Service Association of wholehearted support in whatever action it may take in combating the application of these tests."