PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22401, 23 April 1936, Page 13

PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRY

THE SCHEDULE OF AGES LIMITS ALREADY EXTENDED DEPRESSION CONDITIONS MET [by TELEGRAPH -SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Conditions governing the entry age to the various departments of tho Public Service vero outlined in the House of Representatives to-day by the Prime Milliliter, Mr. Savage, in reply to a question by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government —Dunedin West). .Dr. McMillan h;d asked whether the maximum entry nge could bo raised for a limited period, as was done after tho war, to meet the cases of many young people who bad been unable to find permanent employment during the depression. Mr. Savage explained that in departments under the control of tho Public Servico Commissioner the age ! limit for appointments to cadetships had been extended in 1932 from 19 years to 21 in the case of candidates who had passed the university entrance examination. It was not considered practicable to extend the ago in the case of cadets beyond 21 years, although it was the practice where suitable opportunities arose to appoint candidates with full degree qualifications at higher ages. The maximum age tor appointment, to the clerical and general division)) was 40 years, but this could be extended to 50 in cases of special dutie.'i. 'I he age limit lor cadets for entrance to the railway service had been raised, and cadets were now engaged up to the age of 19. Apprentices were formerly taken on up to 16 years of age, but the maximum had been increased to 17 years. Porters and cleaners were taken on up to the age of 20, as it was necessary that they should be engaged in order that they might receive adequato training at a receptive age. In other occupations persons were appointed at adult ages up to a maximum of 39 years for tradesmen and labourers, and 3't years for surfacemen. Actually the altered conditions arising out of the depression had already been met, concluded the Prime Minister, and further extensions of the age limits' would impose hardship for people seeking employment in Government departments who were already qualified under the existing age schedule. GOLD EXPORT TAX MINISTER'S CONTENTION " NOT DANGE ROUS PRECEDENT " [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A denial that the present export tax on gold formed a dangerous fiscal precedent was made by the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, in replying m the House of Representatives to-day to a question from. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riecarton), who askect whether the Gc<vernment would introduce legislation this session to abolish the tax. . "The evidence available does not support the suggestion that the tax is a dangerous fiscal precedent," said Mr. I Nash. "Depreciation of New Zealand '■ currency allegedly to meet the cost to I primary producers occasioned by the j fall in overseas prices has an entirely j opposite effect on gold, in that as ■ other prices fall the price of gold appre- j ciates. The question has already been i considered by t!ae Government, follow- ! ing representations by the Minister of j Mines, and will receive further eon- i sideration when the Government's taxation .and mining legislation proposals are being examined."

TRANSPORT OF STOCK OPERATIONS AFTER SUNSET SEASONAL PERMITS OPPOSED [BY TELECRAPB —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The granting of seasonal permits for lorry-owners to t'arry stock after sunset is not favoured by the Government, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, in reply to a question from Mr. W. J. Poison (Opposition—Stratford). The Minister said the main object of the legislation requiring permits to be obtained was an endeavour to prevent sheep-stealing. It was believed that lorries had been used to a considerable extent in cases vrhere offenders could not be traced. The present system of granting permits was sufficiently elastic, but seasonal permits would weaken the control which was being exercised. BUSINESS INTERESTS MINISTER DEFENDED POLICY OF GOVERNMENT [BY TELECRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The interests of the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in the New Zealand coal industry, which were questioned recently by Mr. W. J. Polson (Opposition—Stratford), were defended by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in the House of "Representatives to-day. Mr. Poison had asked whether the Prime Minister, having regard to the policy disclosed by the Government as to members of official boards who had outside business interests, would apply the same "tape measure" to the Cabinet, and particularly to the Mines Department, the Minister in charge of which was largely interested in the sale of New Zealand coal. , "Ministers olr the Crown have been appointed because of their experience and knowledge of the problems with which they will be called upon to deal," the Prime Minister said. "The Minister of Mines is especially qualified in that respect and may be depended upon to carry out faithfully the policy of the Go\eminent. 11, is not the intention of the Government to destroy tho constitutional right that has been extended to Ministers since the inception of selfgovernment in New Zealand." POULTRY FARMERS [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The question of the payment of a guaranteed price to poultry farmers, raised in tho House of Representatives early in the session by Mr. A. C. A. Sexton (Independent—Franklin) was replied to to-day by the Prime Minister, .Mr. Savage. Investigations to determine the basis of guaranteed prices for primary products were proceeding, the Prime Minister said, and as soon as the necessary information was available negotiations would be initiated with a view to the introduction of a procedure for the industry.