SECRETARY OF MARINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19042, 12 December 1923, Page 4

SECRETARY OF MARINE.

PEOTEST BY SEAMEN. MINISTER DEFENDS APPOINTMENT. At a recent stop-work meeting of the Dunedin branch cf the. Federated Seamen’s Union a resolution was carried protesting against tlie appointment of a permanent Secretary of Marine from outside the Marine Department. Interviewed by a Mat am-a Ensign reporter, tb© Hon. G. James Anderson (Minister of Labour and Marine) explained that the recent appointment of Mr G. C. Godfrey to the position of Secretary of the Marine Department was made by the Public Service Commissioner under the powers vested in him by the Public Service Act. The responsibility of all such appointments rested on the Commissioner. He (the Minister) could say, however, that Mr Godfrey was one of the most capable officers in the public service. He had had great experience during his long years of sendee, and was regarded as one of the State’s best organisers. His position as Assistant Secretary of tho Public Works Department and member of the Stores Control and Highways Boards proved this. With regard to the allegations of mismanagement within the Marine Department, Mr Anderson gave them an emphatic denial. Some time ago similar allegations were conveyed in a resolution passed by the Auckland' branch of the Seamen’s Union, but so far that organisation had failed tb reply to his request for particulars in substantiation of the complaints. Shortly after ho (the Minister) had taken over the department, the Public Se.rvice Commissioner bad appointed Mr A, D. Park as Secretary of Marine. He was pleased to acknowledge that that officer proved most capable, and had effected economies and improved services in a marked manner. Air Anderson expressed the opinion that Mr Godfrey would prove a most capable successor to Mr Park. He regretted that those organisations which had seen fit to oppose these appointments had not embodied in their resolutions of protest specific instances in support of their allegations instead of bald general statements. He had been keeping in very close touch with the head of the department, and had no hesitation in saying that during the past 18 months its affairs had been conducted in a most satisfactory manner, and he looked forward with confidence to the maintenance of the improved standard. ’ He was satisfied that the protests made were the result, of the reforms introduced by Mr Park, and which were being canned out by Mr Godfrey. These officers insisted upon the best Possible service being given to the public with due regard to businesslike economy, and . that policy would be continued irrespective of the protests which had been made.