PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 3

PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

MINISTER ADDRESSES MEMBERS [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, October 17. Addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Public Service Association, Mr. Nash, Minister for Finance, said if there was one thing more than another which he thought should be dealt with it was overtime rates and allowances. The. Public Service Commissioner was not to blame; he had forwarded recommendations suggesting that overtime rates should be adjusted because they were unfair. The Minister said he thought there was an injustice there, and that something should be done early, and assured the conference that, he would bring the matter before the ’Cabinet this week. Referring to cadets and the allowance to them when they were away from home, the Minister said that there was provision in the Fair Rents Act to allow of something being done in that, direction; but he doubted whether anything could be done that would be very effective. He thought the commissioner was giving necessary attention to temporary clerks and temporary men in the service. Whether the Government could provide for the basic rate for married men he did not know. He would be glad to look into it some time before the end of the present year. He did not think anything could be done for the moment about the right of appeal. The Minister said he did not think that fortnightly pay could be arranged now: but. he would he glad to look into it. He hoped that “depression juniors” and «basic rates of yay for married men would be dealt with before the end of the year. Mr. Nash said there were many things done by private enterprise today that inevitably must be done, as

the years passed, by the Public Service. but the extent, to which the growth of public service would be maintained would be tlcfinitely worked on the basis that the Public Service. using the term for organisation, did the job better. If it did not do the work better, then inevitably the old way would continue to be followed, but'as the years went on. he was certain the growth, of the Public Service. lit the host sense of the term, would continue and that it would gradually and quietly displace some of the things done by other people. He was certain that the Public Service would make more contacts with industry and there would be more planning and more work for the benefit of others rather than for profit. Concluding, Mr. Nash, said: "We are going through very difficult times just mm : but in the next year or two they might be more difficult than have ever been experienced.” The Government would want the loyalty of all as a nation. and all their help. It might he that some sacrifices would be required also: but he hoped not in the general sense of the term.