CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

New Zealand Mail, Issue 960, 25 July 1890, Page 10

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM

The Government, as is generally knowoi * have in hand a Bill for re-modeliiog the Civil Service in accordance with promig'ea that have almost grown out of fulfilnreht. The Bill has not been yet" nor is it public property, but a'' member who has seen a copy of it /informs us that the principal provisions of the measure are those appended. This Billi 8 a long. one, and contains a greAt deal of machinery, a good many clauses being d e . voted to setting forth the officers to ba exempted from its operation. It will repeal all existing Aots, and puts the Service on an • entirely different basis. The service is to be divided into four divisions, which are, as nearly as possible, as follow First division, heads of departments ; second division, professional officersthird division, clerical officers now in the service or who qualify on examination* fourth division, officers to be appointed hereafter. A scheme is provided for the regulation and increment of all salaries. A Civil Service Board is appointed consisting of four or five officers (heads of department's resident in Wellington), with the Solioitor-Generai as chairman! Appointments are to bo made to the service by the Governor on the recommendation of the Board, but in certain cases three officers will be named to the head of the department for him to select one. Provision is made for cadets entering the service after passing an examination though exceptions aie made in favour of persons possessing special or technical skill or who have given military or naval service to the country. The amalgamation or reorganisation of departments, and the transference or reduction of offioers on the recommendation of the Board to the Governor are also provided for. The measure is a very stringent one, and prohibits any appointments or awards of compensatrou except in accordance with the Bill. From the salaries of all offioers under the Act 5 per cent, will bo deducted to go to. ward a compensation and pension fund,which may be supplemented by the Government. In cases of emergency appointments can bo made outside the Bill, but must not bo of a longer duration that three months. An officer who commits offenoes or becomes bankrupt may be dismissed or fined on the Board’s recommendation, but may be re-instated if it appears that the bankruptcy was due to no neglect or guilt on his part. The Board also have power to recommend the dismissal of inefficient persons.

Officers will be allowed a fortnight’s holiday each year up to 10 years’ service, and a longer holiday after that period. Their salaries will be surcharged with amounts for which they certify wrongly. The Board will report to Parliament each year. It will be seen from the general particulars that the principle of the new scheme is apparently complete control by the Board, and the establishing of a regular qualification for the service.