PUBLIC TRUSTEE

Evening Star, Issue 16469, 6 July 1917, Page 7

PUBLIC TRUSTEE

AN INTERESTING QUESTION. [By Oua Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 6. In'the House of Repxeeentaives yesterday Mt Nosworthy (Ashburton) gave notice to ask the Minister of Finance v.’hethor lie would advise Cabinet in making the appointment of Public Trustee to consider the claims of Mr F. S. Donaldson, who had been a tried and trusted public servant for many years, Mr Eonaldeon having acted as Public Trustee during his period of service on many occasions, and having the confidence of the peoplo of the Dominion. Tho Hon. G. W. Rvs&ell asked the Hon. Speaker ■ (Sir Frcdk. Lang) if tho notice of question did not infringe section 6 of tho Public Service Act, which ■provided that if any person directly or indirectly solicited or endeavored to" influence the Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner in respect of tho appointment of any pox-son to tho Public Service, or in respect of the promotion or salary of any officer, he was guilty of an offence,’and liable to a fine not exceeding £SO. (Laughter. I Tho Hon. Speaker said ho would look carefully into the notice of Question. Mr Nosworthy said he hoped the Hon. Speaker would look carefully into tho question. Thore was a certain amount of talk going on about what was happening in regard to possible promotions jn the Public Trust Office, and ho thought it was his duty to bring the matter up. He had not been approached by anybody, and if he had infringed tho law he was willing to pay. (Hear, hear.)