PUBLIC SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 2

PUBLIC SERVICE

3.45 P.M. EDITION

ADJUSTMENT URGED BY COM. MISSIONER. SALARIES QUESTION.

“When it is realised tha.t the permanent heads of some of the large and important departments of State are receiving less by way of salary than the superannuation annuity of their predecessors, I feel sure it will be evident that the matter calls for an adjustment,” states the Public Service Commissioner (Mr P. D. N. Verschaffelt) in his annual report, presented to Parliament. Mr Verschaffelt explains that there is no regular method by which an administrative officer can obtain a review of his salary other than by application to the Minister in charge for consideration when the estimates are being framed. As practically no increases in the salaries of the higher paid officers have been made for some years, certain definite cases of hardship have arisen. _ In the cases of officers who were appointed at a minimum salary on the assumption that they would proceed to the maximum paid to their predecessors in office, this hardship is accentuated. Annual increments of salary which might reasonably have been expected have not been granted, they have been eubjeced to salary reductions in common with other officers, and .they are in some cases receiving less remuneration for important administrative positions than is paid to other administrative officers carrying out less important duties. , , . • “I have pointed out in previous reports that there should be a definite grading of administrative petitions, due regard of course being taken of the , duties, importance, and responsibilities of the positions. Were this done, an administrative officer should proceed from the minimum to the maximum salary fixed for his position. Nothwithstandmg the reductions in salaries as effected by the various adjustment Acts, no action was taken to withhold the scale increments of salaries _ to other officers. The same condition should apply in respect of officers of the administrative division.”