TRIBUTES PAID

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 75, 26 September 1945, Page 8

TRIBUTES PAID

RETIRING AUDITOR-GENERAL

Sincere tributes were paid to the retiring Controller and AuditorGeneral (Mr. C. G. Collins) at a gathering in the Government Buildings yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance (Mr. x Nash) joined with officers of the Audit Department in praise of the efficient and straightforward manner in which Mr. Collins had guided the affairs of the Department over a number of years. ' In Mr. Collins the Department had had a man who very efficiently, very fairly, and very frankly had discharged his duties, said Mr. Fraser. Frankness and fairness seemed to him to be the two most essential principles of administration, particularly in the relationships between a department and the Government, and most of all in the position of Auditor-General. During his term of office as Prime Minister, said Mr. Fraser, his relationships with the Department and Mr. Collins had' been invariably satisfactory and pleasant. Mr. Collins had rung true in every way, and had been a great help to the Government. "His consideration for everybody with whom he has come in contact has marked him as outstanding not only among Auditor-Generals,, but among the figures of the Public Service." said the Prime Minister. "I think I am losing not only an officer of great ability and integrity with a wealth of experience in the Public Service, but a valued colleague and a very good friend." Mr. Nash spoke of the efficient way Mr. Collins had dealt on occasions with problems which had occurred over'the handling of the country's finances. When any trouble had occurred Mr. Collins's desire had always been to find a way, with the minimum of fuss, of ensuring that what had to be done was done .with the least possible difficulty. Mr. Nash recalled that Mr. Collins was retiring from a position which had been held some years ago by his father. Other speakers paid tributes to Mr. Collins on behalf of the Public Service Commissioner and the staff of the Audit Department, and he was presented with a well-filled wallet as a parting gift from the staff. Replying to the good wishes and tributes which had been tendered to him. Mr. Collins said he regarded the presence of so many present and past colleagues at the gathering as evidence of the bonds of friendship which had been formed during his career, pnd which would not be lightly broken. He spoke particularly of the work which' had been performed by the staff of the Department during the difficult war years. Their loyalty and devotion to duty had been unequalled. Mr. Collins also extended his congratulations and best wishes to the' newlyaopointed Controller and AuditorGeneral, Mr. J, P. Rutherford.