PROMOTION EXAMINATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 26

PROMOTION EXAMINATIONS

PUBLIC SERVICE DISSATISFIED [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, July 21. Strong views were expressed last night at the largest meeting of public •ervants ever held in New Plymouth when disapproval was expressed of the efficiency tests and promotion examinations recently introduced by the Public Service Commissioners. There was a large attendance of public servants not only from New Plymouth, but also from the outlying districts. The general secretary of the New Zealand Public Service Association (.Mr Miller), who was paying his annual visit to the district, was bombarded with questions. The discussion concerned the question of the “ efficiency tests and promotion examinations for the professional, clerical, and general divisions ” of the service which the Public Service Commissioners are stated to have imposed upon all officers irrespective of their qualifications beforo they can rise above a certain salary. These tests are four in number and the officers have to be receiving certain salaries before they are eligible to sit the tests. Virtually the effect is that an officer will not be finished with examinations during the greater part, if not the whole of his service. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this meeting of Taranaki public servants expresses strong disapproval and indignation towards, the Public Service Commissioners’ recently-published efficiency tests and promotion examinations and assures the executive committee of the New Zealand Public Service Association of its wholehearted support in whatever action it may take in combating the application of these tests.’’-