EFFICIENCY TESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 9

EFFICIENCY TESTS

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

OPPOSITION BY BRANCHES

(By Telegraph—Pi-ess Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day,

The Public Service Commissioner's report to Parliament referring to efficiency tests and lack of knowledge among officers generally is strongly resented by the Taranaki public servants.. It is contended that the Commissioner based his assertions on the result of last year's tests when, according to his statement, 47 per cent, passed, 47 per cent, failed, and the balance, obtained partial passes only. It is pointed out that he omitted to mention that last year's tests applied to the general division only, when practical men were given a theoretical examination. It is held that to condemn the efficiency of the service on the result of that test is grossly unfair and does not agree with previous statements of the Commissioner referring to the high educational qualifications of public servants generally. At the annual meeting of the Tarariaki section of the Public Service Association a resolution was unanimously carried requesting the Commissioner to suspend the .efficiency tests for the duration of the war. It was felt that with the threat of invasion hanging over England and many officers serving in the Army, Territorial forces and reserves, and others working overtime and on official duties (gratis) and performing patriotic duties in their spare time, efficiency tests were relatively" unimportant at this time, when all efforts should be for one purpose only, to help to win the war.