BRITISH CIVIL SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 11

BRITISH CIVIL SERVICE

Comparison of salaries.

■ ■ ■ ... . • LONDON, March 20. Sir Josiah Stamp, chairman of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, director of the Bank of England and a well-kndwn economist, gave evidence before the Royal Commission on pay and conditions in the Civil Sor.vico. With regard to the probable trend of wage levels and price levels in the next few years, he said: “I feel that we are in a most dangerous position, ■owing to our lack of resilience. Unless we haVe a greater degree of response in the way of altering salaries, wages and interest we are heading for sheer disaster. It may be that we shall learn tlie lesson and make the changes much more readily than at present. _ Lord Tomlin, who, presided, asked Sir Josiah Stamp about standards, of remuneration in the Civil Service. “How do you think they compare, with the outside, taking first, the posts in the service, men of £3OOO a yf Sir Josiah Stamp: That compares in the highest ranks very unfavourably, to the extent possibly of 50 per cent. Lord Tomlin: Men in responsible positions below that?—They compare unfavourably, too. " Have you any views as to whether the service is getting the type of men it needs to fill the higher responsible positions?—On the Whole, I think, yes, but, of course, it is very difficult to tell how"' new recruits are going to shape. I have not the slightest doubt you will have the mental calibre, but so much more is wanted at the head of a department than mere cleverness or intellect. To use an American term, we must not have the “Yes, yes” men. It is absolutely essential in this democratic age to have a man who will express his opinion absolutely fearlessly. . > _ ' Lord Tomlin: A man with a mind of his own. Sir Josiah Stamp added that boys from lower ranks were tending to rise to high rank.