“DISALLOWED”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8558, 22 October 1913, Page 6

“DISALLOWED”

Much indignation is being felt by officers throughout tho Civil Service at tho brusque treatment which has been accorded to appeals against their classification by tho Public Service Commissioners. In a majority of cases, tho officers have simply been informed, in a curt official memorandum, that their appeals have been “disallowed,” the fatal word being printed in largo bold typo about the centre of the page, as though at a first glance “disallowed” was tho only word in the communication. No information is given the officer as to why his appeal was disallowed; no grounds upon which tho decision of tho Appeal Board was reached are afforded tho officer dissatisfied with tho place and emolument allotted him by an arbitrary and autocratic triumvirate, armed with largo powers that rightly belong to Parliament. Tho officer is simply given a bald and brusque intimation, and the word “disallowed” has become a by-word of sarcasm and raillery throughout the service. Even if one reason for tho decision were given it might afford some enlightenment or consolation. It is generally believed that the appeals are being dismissed in hundreds, and this stock memorandum, this laconic intimation, “Disallowed,” is being used in each case. Naturally many members of the public service are indignant, not only at the summary treatment of their appeals, but at the bluntness of the stereotyped answer to their representations. However, it is not the Commissioners, but the self-styled “Reform” Government, that they have to thank.