MINISTER'S SON

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1941, Page 11

MINISTER'S SON

GOVERNMENT POST

FURTHER STATEMENT

A further reference to reports brought under his notice in Christchurch suggesting that Mr. R. S. Sullivan, son of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, had been appointed to an executive position in the Internal Marketing Division in Dunedin at a high salary, was made yesterday by the Minister of Marketing (Mr. Barclay).

"The facts as reported to me by my officers are as follows," said Mr. Barclay. "Some months before his departure for India Mr. F. R. Picot, Director of Internal Marketing, approached Mr. Sullivan, jun., at that time president of the Christchurch Fruit Retailers' Association, and who was disposing of his business in Christchurch. to ascertain if he was prepared to accept a position in the Internal Marketing Division in Dunedin. <, His knowledge of the fruit trade and retailing generally qualified him for the position which was mainly in connection with fruit distribution. The appointment was eventually made after consultation with the Public Service Commissioner's office, to the temporary staff of the Public Service at a salary of £6 15s a week.

"Mr. Sullivan's position is that of an officer of the Internal Marketing Division under the control of the Christchurch manager, and his work is connected with the sale and distribution of imported and local fruits and the general retail work of the division in Dunedin and the lower part of the South Island."

Mr. Barclay said that the suggestion that Mr. Sullivan, jun., has been appointed to an executive position at a high salary was therefore completely unjustified in the light of the above facts. "Inquiries which I have made," added the Minister, "show that it is not the practice of the Public Service Commissioner's office to advertise all temporary appointments, particularly in the lower grades, and when a Government Department recommends the appointment of a man qualified for special work this procedure is followed. I set out these facts to remove any wrong impressions which may have been created by your previously published report."