PUBLIC SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 2

PUBLIC SERVICE

REGRADING QUESTION.

LOCAL ASSOCIATION MEETS,

A meeting of the Wellington section of the Public Service Association was held last night when Mr J. H. JfcKay presided over a good attendance ot members.

The annual report showed that the membership now totalled 2055, an increase of 108 above that of last year. "The efforts of the associatioh have been rewarded,” continued the report, “by the fact that salaries are now paid bi-monthly—a concession appreciated by all public servants. “The regrading of the service by the Public Service Commissioner has been the most absorbing topic for many months—anxiety before its appearance and (in abundant cases) disappointment after- In many cases improvements have been made, but in class VII. and the major portion of the general division the note of dissatisfaction is very pronounced. Tho Board of Appeal is sitting, however, and probably some of the anomalies with which regrading will be accompanied, may be removed. It may be advisable to refrain from further comment until the Board of Appeal has completed its work.” The report went on to say that a cost of living committee had been set up to redraft a claim for a cost of living increase in salaries. DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES.

The following departmental representatives were elected for the ensuing year:—State Advances. G. L. Morrison and A. Burgess; Audit, G. O. Hall, and O. A. Williamson ; Census and Statistics, W. H. Gibbs; Defence Ordnance (Trentliam), Wm. Perkins: Royal New Zealand Artillery, A. Walker; Education, E. D. Sinclair, C. H. Sawyers, O. A. Woods; Internal Affairs (lady cleaners), Mrs B. MoHroy: messenger service, J, Wilkinson; Labour, 6. G. ML Mitchell; Lands and Deeds, J. S. Shanks; Lands and Survey (district office), H. D. London; Lands and Survey (Land: office), Jas. A. J. Macfarlane; Pensions, O. T. L. Harrison; State Fire, B. R. Wakelin; Public Works (district office), G. E. Whitmore; Public Works (head l office), W. A. Sutherland; State Forestry, H. W. Osmers; Stamp Duties, J. H. McKay; Tourist, R,. W. Marshall ; Native Trust, W, Holst; Native, K. Sword; RegistrarGeneral, A.. R. Ellis; Mental Hospital, F. Goldsmith; Government Printing Office, F. Jeffries; Valuation. C. J. Harley. RATHER SLACK TIMES.

Mr Roy Sinel, New Zealand president of • the association, addressing members, J said that at the present juncture thinlgs were rather slack as regards association activities. The cost of living question had had to stand l down owing to !the regrettable illness of the Prime Minister, and the only thing engaging 1 their attention was the Appeal Board, which was at present sitting. One of the reforms obtained, that of •the bi-monthly payment of salaries, had been one of the most acceptable in recent years. There was now no “black” month, and instead of going from before Christmas until January 31st they received a pay on January 15. With regard to the regrading the association had no say in the classification of members into the various grades. The Public Service Commission had promised, however, to personally investigate cases of hardships in the £21)5 class instead of the matter going before the Board of Appeal.