MORE CORRUPTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 6

MORE CORRUPTION

THE CIVIL SERViC; MB HE ROMAN'S VIEWS ON PUBLIC OFFICERS. SPECIAL TO THK "TIUES." LEVIN, May 24. The Civil Service was the chief feature of an address given by Mr A. L. Herdman SLP-, in the Century Hall •to-night,' The Mayor of Levin, Mr B. R, Gardener, presided. Tho audience slumbered about a hundred. It listened patiently. It was without enthusiasm. Mr Monckton, the Opposition candiato for the Oiaki seat, was on the platform. Mr Herdman declared that his party had been backward in pxiblicly expressing their views, but more liveliness would bo shown by Opposition speakers during the next few months. The late Mr Seddon had exercised an hypnotic influence on all classes, but the x>resenfc head of tho Government was. distrusted because of his lack of-courage and capacity. Ho was satisfied that the time had arrived when the Administration should be turned out of power because they had not been faithful and capable.

BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS. Ministers did not regard loan and iaxalion revenue as trust money, but simply, as a fund to be spent to keep them in otfice. When the Minister lor Public tVorks had the audacity to state that he was prepared to take put of the ppckct of taxpayers money wnich he would hand over to somebody to buy votes he was propounding one of tho most detestable, doctrines which had ever passed the Upa of a public man. (Applause.) The Government had steadfastly declined to reform the public service, nor would they allow a commission *of inquiry to be set up. By ieclaring that he could save .£250,000 a year by retrenchment the Piimo Miniscter was admitting that he had deliberately wasted that amount of the people's money. Though there were thousands of competent men in the public service, therm were many -/incompetents. lie was confident that the public servants did not get justice. His hearers would remember the income tax scandal and the Police Commission, which resulted in the Commissioner having to leave the position. This was what happened as a result of administration by Ministers of the Crown. •

ALLEGED POLITICAL PATRONAGE. Influence was the mystic word which gol a man into the public service, and influence was what got him his promotion—that was, if he was humble. lie must be an obsequious flatterer. If he could bow before the all-powerful Minister of the Crown, possibly he would get more rapid promotion than the intelligent man of character who depended for promotion upon his own character, diligence and loyalty. The public service should be managed by an independent person pot responsible to Ministers* but responsible directly to Parliament. Re favoured the Commonwealth system of a Commissioner with si inspectors. Under this the service would be infinitely happier and more faithful work would be given. Public servants were entitled to have better and more scrupulous masters’ than Ministers, and the' able, conscientious public servant was entitled to just treatment. The time-server, the sycophant, the obsequious flatterer of the 'all-powerful Minister, the incompetent protege of an inoompetent patron should bo culled from the service. Promotions should be by merit.

POLICY. The Government was afraid to place a definite policy before the country. Sir Joseph was not "game” to declare one way or another. As for the Hallway Department, he would apply the same system to it as the Civil Service. If an expert was appointed at the ‘head, _ instead of a Minister who_ was conscientious but ignorant of railway working, the railways would he infinitely better managed. lie-was inclined to thmk that recent taxation, had been spiteful, and vindictive. The Government aimed nr taxing the wealthq. but in the end this taxation aftectecl all classes, because the money was , being put into the public eohequer instead of into industry. A vote of thanks to Mr-Hardman concluded the- meeting.