PUBLIC SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1946, Page 9

PUBLIC SERVICE

DISCUSSIONS WITH PRIME MINISTER FUTURE CONTROL SYSTEM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 1. . When the president of the Public Service Association (Mr. J. P. Lewin) was asked to comment to-day on the statement made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the House oi Representatives yesterday on a possible change in the administration ol the Public Service, he said it was true that discussions had already taken place on the subject between the Prime Minister and executive officers of the association along lines laid down by the executive committee. 'The subject had in the first place been raised by the association, in view of the growth and increased complexity of the service, and the executive officers had found the Pi ime Minister’s attitude helpful. Mr. Fraser had expressed himself as being fully in accord with control of the service by an independent authority, together with power of review of appointments by a board of appeal, and any alterations contemplated would be firmly based on these principles and the necessity for giving the public the most efficient possible service in Government administration. The policy of the association would have to be determined by the annual conference of the executive council, which would commence on August 28, when elected delegates from all over New Zealand would meet in AVellington. The conversations now proceeding were designed to clear the way for conference discussions on the subject.