THE PUBLIC SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9691, 20 June 1917, Page 3

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE THE WORK OF THE YEAE REVIEWED. Mr G. Allport (president) presided over the annual conference of the Kew Zealand Public Service Association, held in the Esperanto Hall yesterday, which was attended by delegates from branches in all parts 'of the Dominion. The chairman congratulated the association on the increase in its membershin. which now stands at. 5137, an increase of 1108 since the beginning of the year. The association was in a satisfactory financial position, there being a balance of .£5Bl, an increase of £.2 20. One important matter which had occurred during the year was the advent of the Police Force into the association. Some time ago the Government announced its willingness that the members ot the force should be allowed to join the association, and now a majority had done so. Ho did not think that either the association, the force, or the Government would regret that that step bad been taken. The. association was formed with the object of doing what it could for the benefit of the whole of its members : at the stole time, they always considered the interests of tlj,e State, and he did not think the police would find their position as members of the association compromise them in any way in the proper and efficient discharge of their duties. The speaker then referred to the fact that, as the result of a deadlock with the Public Service Commissioner, it was decided to take out an originating summons in the Supreme Court in connection with a number of questions. At the invitation of the Minister for Internal Affairs, the association met the Commissioner, under the presidency of the Minister, and discussed the matter, and afterwards arranged for a further conference with tlio Commissioners. Those conferences resulted in a settlement of the matters in dispute. They had also formed a Council of State Service Associations, consisting of representatives of the Public Service Association, the A.S.R.S.. the Railway Officers' Association, the Teachers' Association, the Locomotive and Engine-drivers’ Association, and the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association. That, association was engaged in endeavouring to get the Government to reduce the cost of living and to legislate so that public servants who go to the front may receive their civil pay. The executive had also given legal assistance to members in connection with their appeals, but onlv where matters of principle had been involved. "He believed -that in manv cases the assistance had been beneficial, not only to the men. but to the association in general. (Applause.) The conference then went into committee.