THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23321, 13 October 1937, Page 14

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

' NON-PdLITICAL CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The Public Service Conference was opened to-day by the Attorneygeneral (Mr H. G. R. Mason). The Public Service Commissioners were also present. Mr Mason contgratulated the association on its continued success and increasing membership, which he understood was now about 90 per cent, of the Civil Service membership. The Prime Minister had already indicated to the association his support of a policy of non-political control of the Government services in New Zealand. The traditions of the services were as High as in corresponding services in the Mother land. One Of the matters requiring attention was the effect of the housing shortage on some civil servants in some isolated places, where there was no demand for houses. Civil servants found it almost impossible t< find accommodation. The association’s representations on behalf of the officers affected had received a very sympathetic hearing from the Prime Minister and would not be overlooked when the difficulties facing the Housing Department were overcome. . The association had been promised that a superannuation scheme would receive attention as soon as the major national scheme was disposed of, and had the assurance that its funds would not be merged in the national scheme.