AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17006, 13 November 1918, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD.

DRASTIC CRITICISM PASSED.

Australian and XX Cable Association. (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) SYDKEY, Nov. 12.

The interim rejn.rt of the Royal Com- ] mission which ino aired into the adminis-1 tration of the Public Service Board contains some very severe criticism. It discloses certain witters which it is anticipated will requ.i b immediate ('rastic action on the part -if the Govemrjent. The report states fb,t the Public Service Act has not fulfills the purposes for which it was created. failure to secure efficient economical administration was attributable, not to defects :n the Act, but to lax and incompetent administration. The commission recommends that' 1 the [term of office of the pro*.:.; members of I the Public Sen-ice Board should termii nate forthwith, and that a new board, including the Chief Commissioner, of proved business capacity and powers of administration and high standing in the commercial world, should be appointed. It recommends other wide-reaching changes.

DARDANELLES GARRISON. (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. U. The Government has been officially advised that Australian and New Zealand troops will be included in the forces occupying the Dardanelles forts under the armistice terms. LABOUR RSCRUTTING BALLOT. (Reed. 7.15 P.m.'.' MELBOURNE, Nov. 12. The Federal Labour Executive has decided to abandon the proposed ballot on the recruiting cucstion, and has issued a statement expressing pleasure at the prospect of the early cessation of hostilities, and the establishment of peace on the' most immediately practicable basis, adding that it views with satisfaction the knowledge that the adoption of Labour's peace has brought about this result. It states that though the returns to hand show an overwhelming affirmative vote on each State given a majority for "Yes" the reasons for taking the ballot are now largely removed, and further action is unnecessary.