SOCIAL SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 18

SOCIAL SERVICES

AN EVER-GROWING DEMAND WHY THE PUBLIC SERVICE INCREASES [From Ocu Fakliamektakt Repokiek.] WELLINGTOX,. September 17. Tiio familiar criticism that the Public Service is overstaffed is in most cases based, states the Public Service Commissioner, on a misplaced and generalised assumption showing. ignorance of the exceedingly wide ramifications of State activity. “An ever-persistent demand is made upon the Government for the extension of social and other services, but not until the burden of cost is rellccted in taxation is it realised that the added service involves increased salary bills. The financial burden of extended social, services slowly and steadily grows, remaining more or less obscure and unfelt until, (luring a period of financial depression, the magnitude of the load fills the taxpayer with apprehension. ‘ Over-staJ-fling’ or ‘financial prodigality’ are cn tirely unwarranted charges to level at the Administration, for there is plain reason for the presence of every person employed, and any curtailment is not a matter of organisation, but of Government policy. _ The Commissioner stales in the annual report that in]92l there was an almost ruthless curtailment of all but essential activities, and there had been a rigid scrutiny of every fresh appointment. Last year the additional employees totalled LIS, or eighty-one fewer”than in the previous year, and the drop in the salary list was £6,312. Though 1,73-1 candidates passed the Public Service qualifying, examination last year, only 223 were appointed.