STATE PRINTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23354, 20 November 1937, Page 8

STATE PRINTER

APPOINTMENT OF “OUTSIDER” PROTEST IN THE HOUSE A PRINCIPLE INVOLVED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. A protest against the principle of an “ outsider ” being appointed to the position of Government Printer was made by several members,'including two on the Government Benches, during a discussion on the Estimates in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition, Christchurch North) said he understood that the appointee was an accountant with no practical experience of printing. He wondered why it had been necessary to go outside the printing office to find a suitable man. “I am making no reflection whatever upon the new head of the printing office,” Mr Holland added. “It is the principle with which 1 am concerned.”

Mr C. H. Chapman (Govt., Wellington North) said that for many years the practice had been to appoint a printer to the position. He regretted that it had been found necessary to go outside the ranks of practical craftsmen in order to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr G. H, Loney. He recognised, of course, that organising ability was essential The Minister in charge of the Printing Department (Mr P C. Webb) said that the Government printer was appointed by the Public Service Commissioners. Although it might be argued that the Government printer should have a detailed knowledge of every branch of the trade, he thought that members would admit that business acumen and sound administrative ability were necessary qualities in order to make a success of the job. Personally, he believed that the new head was doing excellent work. Mr H. E. Herring (Govt., MidCanterbury) said that too often technical skill was shouldered aside by men who could juggle with figures. The technician should be placed where he rightly belonged.