PUBLIC SERVICE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 78, 14 March 1933, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVICE

SAVINGS TOTAL £966,000 SALARIES LOWER THAN 1913. REPORT ON ECONOMIES. Constant efforts have been made during the past year to explore all possible avenues of economy in the civil service, and to consider means ot dealing with problems rising out of the depression, according to the report of the Public Service Commissioner, Mr P. 1). N. Versehaffelt, which has been presented to Parliament. Frequent reviews of ■taffing arrangements have been made, the report states, but, notwithstanding curtailments, both in staff and expenditure, the general efficiency of the service has been well maintained. With a view to effecting economies and curtailing administration costs, the public service of the Dominion had been overhauled twice during the past two years, first by a special Cabinet Committee, and then by the National Expenditure Commission. Exclusive of ■alary cuts, an estimated annual saving of £384,165 had been made in departments coming under the provisions oi the Public Service Act. In the same departments the first •alary cut under the Finance Act, 1931. No. I, was responsible for a saving of £216.690, and the second salary cut, under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act. 1932, had resulted in a saving of £185,710, a total of £432,400. in addition there was a further estimated saving of £149,912 in respect of temporary employees, excluding temporary employees in the Public Works Department. The total annual savings due to staff economies and salary reductions were approximately £966,500. Juust over £500,000 was due to salary cuts. The following table shows alterations in the salary scale •n the clerical division since the Public Service Act came

Maximum salaries are quoted and it is to be noted that in all except three classes the present figure is lower than was the case in 1913. Class C. Special, was not in existence in 1913, but in 1919 the salary was £750, which has ■ow dropped to £619. Statistics attached to the report ■how that the total number of officers •t March 31. 1932. was 7827, showing • net decrease of 311 permanent officers compared with the position at March 31, 1931. This represents a reduction of 4 per cent, in staffing.

into operation in 1913 and is illustra live of salaries throughout the service 1913 1921 1932 £ £ £ Class VII 220 320 239 Class VI 260 350 271 Class V 315 100 308 Class IV 370 450 311 Class HI 425 500 381 Class II 475 550 417 C lass I 600 650 498 Class CSpecial — 800 619