“POLITICAL PATRONAGE"

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1946, Page 2

“POLITICAL PATRONAGE"

APPOINTMENTS TO PUBLIC • SERVICE ALLEGATION IN HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 31. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. G. H. Mackley (Oppn., Masterton) asked whether the Government proposed to act on the remit from the recent Federation of Labour conference asking the Government to investigate the appointment, power and control of the Public Service Commissioner; and if so, in what respect the Government /proposed to curtail the powers of the Commissioner.

In reply, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser said that no representations on the question of the Public Service Commissionership have been received from the Federation of Labour. Evasion Alleged.

Mr. Mackley said the reply was evasive and unsatisfactory. He said it seemed to indicate that the Government was going to interfere with the powers of the Public Service Commissioner: Mr. Fraser said that he had not the slightest idea that such a remit had been before the Federation of Labour, and, if representations had been made, he would have known about them. As he did not know about such a remit, and as it was not sent on to him, what else could he have replied? Mr. Mackley: You could say that it is not the intention of the Government to interfere with the Public Service Commissioner. Mr. Fraser said that the committee of the Public Service Association was discussing this matter, and it would be making suggestions. Fie added that it might be of considerable advantage to have three Public Service Commissioners.

Changes Proposed. Further questions were put by Mr. Mackley and Mr. W. J. Polson (Oppn., Stratford). In reply, Mr. Fraser said that the committee to which he had referred was considering the matter of the commissioner system with him, and it was hoped to arrive at. a solution which would give mutual confidence and satisfaction. He felt sure that, whatever the outcome, whether with one, two, or three,' the commissioner system remained the best way of administering the Public Service. Mr. Polson said that a coach and horse had been driven through the Public Service appointment system in recent years. This had caused discontent. He said appointments had been made which revealed political patronage, not only of defeated Parliamentary candidates, but of individuals who had rendered lesser services to .the party in power. It was obvious that the Public Service was deeply uneasy, and that it sensed that changes were in the air, and was seeking to protect its rights. ■