THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIIII, Issue 3625, 11 September 1912, Page 5

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

M,l. HERDMAN’S REFORM BILLy

DISCUSSION ON THE SECOND READING.

/ [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.' AV ELLINGTON, Sept. 10

lu the House, Air Herdman moved the second reading of the Public Service Bill Ho said tlic Bill aimed at giving satisfaction to those employed in the Public Service. Dissatisfaction and discontent were manifested in the service. The- fact that the Mackenzie Government had set up a Royal Commission to inquire into the ramifications of the Service had been the strongest condemnation of it. The report of that Commission condemned .the system which was at present in force. So far as he knew, a Civil Service Commission was in operation in England and was giving complete satisfaction.

The Bill lie was introducing was modelled on Australian legislation which, lie believed, was also working satisfactorily. He had received replies to letters from Australia from Mr Holman (Attorney-General for New South Wales) informing him that the Civil Service Commission gave satisfaction. eliminated nolitical patronage and promoted the efficiency of the service. Control by the Commissioner did not appear to he more unsatisfactory than control by a Minister. It also lessened detail work for the Minister. . Similar replies had been received from the other Australian States. The Minister then referred to the report of tho Civil Service Commission, which, he said, was one of the most valuable documents ever laid before the House, The Commission had pointed out the evils of the hack door. This Bill made the back door evil absolutely impossible. His Bill aimed to make merit, and merit alone, count. He cited figures showing increases in the number of civil servants and the salaries paid them during different periods' between 1907 and 1912. There had been an increase in civil servauts of 4955 and the increase in the amount paid as salaries was £-714,000 for the same period. Reverting to the Bill, the Alinister said the Commissioner would receive £I3OO annually. iwo assistant Commissioners would receive £BOO, all to he charged on the Consolidated Fund. The Commissioner may be suspended or removed for misbehaviour or incompetence by the Governor, lnit- shall not be removed from office before Parliament lias acquiesced in such removal. ‘ Air Herdman said it was provided that extra clerks could be employed in the public service for a period of three months only. A special aim of the Bill was that fitness should govern promotions. Sir Joseph AVard (Avarua) said the Alinister thought that the change or administration proposed would remove th- 1 cause of discontent and dissatisfaction. He held that the course ot m.t.ire could not he altered although tli r Alinister might desire it. AN hen Air Herdman spoke of the increase in the Civil Service he omitted to take into consideration the fact that th«* population had increased by leaps and bounds'. The Bill provided for oneman control of the Civil Service. They had two assistant commissioners, but they were under the control of a o>mmissioner. Who, he asked, was going to supply information of efficiency, etc., to the Commissioner It must he the heads of departments. The proposed Commissioner lmd far too much power. The Commissioner would he amenable to influences, so would the Assistant Commissioners. In his opinion, the only men in this counti.v who wanted a Public Service Board i ere those who were at the top. In 3 years the whole rank and file or the sol vice would be up in arms against b He was convinced that the Bill, though it would go through, was a retrograde step. Air Fisher said the Civil Service Commission had really found that the Civil Service was a most excellent one in spite of the conditions. He could say that Civil Servants disliked the present system as much as anything. What the Bill aimed at was doing away with political influence. The recent- Commission had found that inefficiency and extravagance had been rewarded.' The Commission said there had been no system in the appointment of public servants. There wa» a stilling in the service ot ambition and discontent was rife throughout. A number of men in the service were devoting most of their time to acquiring knowledge-to enable them to pass examinations, not for the betterment of the service, but to enable them to get out of it, He would admit that the Commissioner- might be approached by some people, but he would point out that a Alinister could be approached by anyone. The -system advocated was not complete, but it was the best that could lie advocated. Mr AVilford (Hutt) said the blot on the report was that the Commission did not distinguish between merit and ability. Ho asked what was to become of the temporary men in certain offices who, if the Bill was passed, must be dismissed? There was no provision in the Bill bv which anyone could demand to be ‘ heard on appeal. They wanted under Bill to wt away from political patronage, but the Governor under the Bill was the ministry ot to-day, and would leave Ministers as much' political patronage as before. Air G. M. Thomson (Dnuedm A J j concurred with the speaker who said, that a number of civil servants were spending most of their time working up for examinations to enable them to get out of the service. He did not think any man over 35 -should be asked to* sit for an examination. Mr Han nil (I nvercargill) said that before asking the House to pass the Bill the Alinister slioxild have proved that where Civil Service' Boards have been established the service is in a higher state of efficiency than in countries where there is no such controlling body. Air Alassev said the effect of the Bill was to -promote the efficiency of the service.

He held that there was no.suggestion to abolish the Boards in Britain. The setting up of the Commission there was simply to ascertain if it were possible to effect improvements in several departments. He contended that there was no analogy between the Railway Commission and the Public Service Commission. Tlic former lwid to control the whole service, which did not apply to the proposed Civil Service Commission. If the right to appeal was not clear in the Bill he was prepared to make it so in committee.

He agreed that the Civil Service was equal to any in the world, but

was sure that those in the service were anxious for the passing of tho Bill.

.Vomes : No. Most are against it. Ho considered tho roport of the Commission tho most valuable ever submitted. to Parliament. It was entirely unbiassed and disclosed unsatisfactory conditions of -affairs. Influence was brought to bear on appointments and promotions, and that was what the Government wanted to do away with. This could only be achieved by a Board responsible to Parliament.

Air llussell (Avon) said he was totally opposed to the proposed Board, believing that it would bring about a reign of terror such as was never known before in the public service: Under the Bill the positions of permanent beads of Departments were menaced, and there was nothing but depreciation of the men who had built up the service. He considered that the salaries proposed for the Commissioners were inadequate. Some of the heads of Departments were -getting more pay.

Air La nrenson (Lyttelton) opposed the Bill.

Air Davy (Christchurch East) wondered why the Minister had confirmed his attention to only a few departments of the service. There was no married men’s minimum provided in the measure, as was l the case in the railway regulations. Air A'eitch (Wanganui) opnosed the handing over of a section of the public service to a Commissioner. The Minister replied at 1 a.m. He contended that if they wanted to abolish patronage they must place tho Commissioner—the man in control—oil the same plane as the Auditor-Gen-eral. The object of putting the service under the control of the Commissioner was to give every man a chance. The arguments-urged in regard to “Club” influence were ridiculous. A poor man would be on the same plane as a man who had wealth, provided lit- had merit. Many of the defects pointed out would be removed in committee.

The second reading of the Bill was carried on a division bv 36 votes to -5. The House adjourned at 1.40 a.m.

CONSIDERED BY PUBLIC SERVANTS. DUNEDIN REMITS. DUNEDIN, Sept. 10. At a largely-attended meeting of Civil Servants last night to consider the Public Service Bill it was resolved to forward the following remits to the Executive of tho Civil Service Association :

(1) That aspirants for appointment as Supre.ine Court Judges, Arbitration Court Judges. Native Land Court Judges, Controller and Audi-tor-General, defence- officers, police officers, railway servants, and legislative officers be also disqualified if they obtain or attempt to obtain the assistance of a member of the General Assembly to procure appointment.

(2) That Al.’sP. and AI’sL.C. be deemed to commit a breach of the Act if they assist or attempt to assist anyone to a Government appointment, and that the punishment therefor be forfeit of seat. This remit not to apply to members of the Alinistry.

(3) That in the event of Commissioners being appointed to control appointments, etc., one of them be selected from the Civil Service.

(4) That provision be made recognising fdr grading and promoting purposes the examinations already passed by officers. (5) That clericals have the opportunity of being transferred to the professional division. (6) That inquiries into allegations of misconduct l>e conducted with strict regard to the law of evidence. (7) That provision lie made for giving officers timely notice of a vacancy in the higher positions and affording them an opportunity of applying therefor.