The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1914. THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Mataura Ensign, 1 July 1914, Page 4

The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1914. THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

The Leader of the Opposition, in m-\ trodueing r.i.V Public Service Amendment Hiil in- the House <)!' ReprosentaMinister I'or Justice, who was largely Minister' For Justice, v ho was hugely responsible for the Public Service Art becoming law, to make,, the -position clear. Sir Joseph WaVd assorted. Uiat there was keen disiumteut throughout the puhlic service of New Zealand. A feeling was abroad that the Commissioner intended to act in a most arbitrary manner and ihat the right <>f appeal was to he taken away. Hon. A. L. ] Herdman was able without difficulty to | slum' thai this was not so, and hy mil apt- quotation from the newspaper de-1 voted to the interests of the Postal Department he proved, that those oi'fieiarft ware quite satisfied with the rule, o'' the Commissioner. _ Tuo present system has f topped all political influence, and' the Civil Servants now knew that they will be judged on their merits. The man ".with a friend at court" has ceased to have a "pull." Each must show that ho lias ability before he can expect consideration hy way of promotion to a hiei'.ier grade. This is as it should he. At ' last general election: there was ample evidence of discontent in the Service, hut nmv, as 1 Mr Herdman pointed out, any dissatisfaction in existence arises from disgruntled individuals. Under the former condition of affairs in, the Public Service propec there was no appeal; now a .Hoard exists to which anyone with a grievance in regard to promotion or other matter may apply to have his trouble investigated. Sir Joseph. Ward may talk from now till the election day, but he will never convince the public of New Zealand that political coirtrol of.the Putbliic Service is in the interests of the people or in, the interests at those members of the Service who are prepared to rely for their advancement on their own ability and merits. The Act of 1$)1:'J went further: than a mere consideration! of the welfare of h::e personnel ef. the Service. The Act made the members cf that "body the servants of the State and not the pup--1 pets of the- Ministry of the day.' The Commissioner has been: able to show that, he and his assistants have//iinproved the business arrangements of the various Departments most materially, providing for a maximum of efficiency at :>. reasonable cost. Mr Herdman enunciated a namber cf benefits which had been cnl'omd on the racm- . bers of. the (-'.-'ivioe, and these, he claimed, would !»: abrogated if the Opposition repeal;-'! '.he Act. 'There can he no doubt iha; ■: e Civil Sen ants are better oil' under the i-ontrol ot rho 1 Commissioner, and ■•> i\r:\. : .nl/ Hit public is .more ei'ficieutK swved. Imbr these conditions k is idle i'.r rile- Opposition to talk of repealing i'c- Act sln.uhl.fsUe will that, it should be I'eldnp'd io po-.; t ia the immediate future. . : .