THE PUBLIC SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22241, 16 October 1935, Page 15

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

GROWTH AND WORK REPLY TO CRITICISM SALARY ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Criticism often expressed against the growth of the Public Service is answered in the annual report, of tho Public Service Commissioner, which was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. Tho report is signed by the actingcommissioner, Mr. A. D. Thomson, and the acting-assistant commissioner, Mr. T. Mark, no permanent appointment to the position rendered vacant by the retirement of Mr. P. D. N. Verschaffelt having yet been made. "To the casual observer the fact that the Public Service is gradually growing in numbers furnishes sufficient material for the familiar cry that the service is overstaffed," the report states. "However, the ever-in-creasing demand for the expansion of social services of all kinds must inevitably swell tho numbers of State servants. The growth of the social services is, of course, political, and when times are good is probably regarded by the taxpayer with a benevolent eye. In times of financial depression, however, the taxpayer becomes alarmed at the magnitude of the salary bill, and the oft-repeated cries of overstaffing and financial prodigality are raised. Difficulty ol Curtailment "Once social services are established it becomes an exceedingly difficult matter at a later date to dispense with or curtail them. They have come to bo regarded by the taxpayer as a right or necessity; • and an 3' curtailment is much resented." It is pointed out that in many departments the depression resulted in an increased volume of work, but every effort has been made for the diversion of staffs from one department to another, depending on the amount of work to bo dealt with. Since 1933 in has been necessary to resume gradually tho appointment of cadets to the service.

The report also emphasises that the salaries paid to the heads of Government departments do not compare favourably with those received by occupants of no more important positions in the commercial world. If the Public Service is to bo made attrantivo to men of capacity it is all important that remuneration should be adequate and commensurate with the importance of the work. It is also held to be desirable that some improvement should be effected in the salaries of the higher professional officers. Salaries and Pensions Discussing salary ' adjustments, the report states that, even with the two percentage restorations of the 1931 and 1932 cuts, anomalies existed which meant that certain men were not being paid in a manner which recognised extra responsibilities. Those anomalies could only be adjusted at a general regrading of the service, which, it was hoped, would bo carried out next year. The need for a sound pension scheme is also emphasised, with the statement that even if tho Government is unable at present to consider the complete rehabilitation of the funds, legislation should be introduced to tighten up in this direction. There is a discussion on a proposal bv an organisation representing returned soldier public servants to have the basis of superannuation allowance altered by adding five years to the actual service of each returned soldier, allowing retirement at the maximum pension rate after 35 years' service. It was estimated that the extra cost involved would average more than £750 for each returned soldier public servant, and the report states that there seems to bo no justification for granting such a concession.