THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Mataura Ensign, 4 July 1914, Page 8

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. The second rqpoi-t o >f the Public Service Co mm 1 ss-j one rs which was presented to 1 arliameiib yesterday states tluit the eSficu'iicy of the work has boon fullv maintained and there lis no doubt whate\ or that the Act is working smoothly and weil. The ,Chief Commissioner ventyl to-say "that it has now 'been beyond doubt tint tho continuance of centra-] control will provide an outlook lor public servants which was wanting in the pa.st, and will at the same tinu* ensure efficiency and economy in the truest sense. As 1 was to oe expected among a. body of 11,000 of"cots there has been a good deal of passive resistance sbo.vn by a few officers to the the Commissioners, but on the other hand it is difficult to praise too highly the enthusiasm with winch new ideas have been supported by others. In order to .put matters on a 'business footing the Commissioners recommended a sa preliminary that steps be taken to have tho existing Acts oi Parliament examined with a: view to eliminating such, provisions with reSard to procedure as may be at the present time considered to be mere formalities which could be avoided altogether or discharged in the Department. The co-operation and co-ordination in the various departments tends to more efficient work. Cadets (it is considered) should be transferred Irom one Department to a not Iter in order to enlarge their experience. The Commissioners recommend 14' departments in place, of the existing 33. I. 11 the fiist' report the Commissioners intimated that economies amounting to £47,000 could "be effected, .but it was then indicated! that it would bo some time before the full effect of the 1 altered arrangements 'could be seen. As it is, the record l of economics resulting through vacant positions ns*t being re- | quired to be filled during tho year amounted to £BOO. ]n addition there were indirect economics of quite £.3000 through the utilisation of excess officers for temporary work in other Departments, instead of engaging teinporarv cl.erks and unseen, economies through the better disposition of the staffs. It is estimated by the Commissioners that instead of £l7;'o'H), £07,000 can now ibe saved within a couple of years. The Commissioner suggests that a minimum salary for married men should |;be definitely fixed hv an Act on as 'ib- ! tral a fcalo as possible, and alf.'o that Parliament might also consider the raising of tho present' minimum £IOO for male officers of 21 veara of age and a suitable minimum lor women. The net increase to the staff during the financial year Mas 431, and 1 the amount ££3,402, of which £18,109 -represents- temporary officers made* permanent, and £2!00 adjustments on *J;he first-class section by the Board of Appeal. Thi* creation of new positions owing tb expansion cost £22,179, and the saving effected in other directions totalled £177,280. During the current year a considerable number of temporary employees will be made' permanent under the proposals of the amalgamation of Departments.