EFFICIENCY TESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1940, Page 5

EFFICIENCY TESTS

IN PUBLIC SERVICE

TALKS WITH COMMISSIONER

"Since the previous issue some progress has been made in our negotiations relating to efficiency tests," states an editorial comment in the July issue of the "Public Service Journal." "As the result of our further representation to the Prime Minister and Mr. Sullivan, appealing to them to make a pronouncement supporting the view of the association's representatives that all efficiency tests were to be postponed at least till next year, the Prime Minister personally- communicated with the association asking that its representatives meet the Commissioner immediately if possible. He stated that he considered that the clash of opinion which had arisen was something which could be discussed at that meeting and that he felt assured a satisfactory solution would be arrived at.

"As the negotiations with the Public Service Commissioner are by no means complete we can say no more at the moment than that in the preliminary .discussions the Commissioner stated that, though he was not prepared to suspend the holding of the examinations this year for the general division, he was prepared to consider suspending the 'effect' of them. In taking up this attitude, the Commissioner stressed that certain employees already had partial passes, and that others had been studying all the year to take the examination and would naturally be disappointed if they had not the opportunity to sit. So far, then, the Prime Minister has been optimistic in expecting that the association would get satisfaction by following the course he proposed. Nevertheless, if the postponement of what the Public Service Commissioner terms the 'effect' is ultimately adopted, it will help.

"It is not reasonable to make further reference to the discussions at this stage, except to record that progress has definitely been made, and that the Commissioner is meeting us in good spirit."