CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2424, 30 August 1900, Page 31

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION.

The adjourned debate on the Civil Service Examination Bill was resumed by Captain RUSSELL, who thought under the bill the standard of efficiency of the civil service would bo reduced owing to the test of capability, being lowered. The standard of educational efficiency was at present very moderate, and such that no -one could fail to pass if they devoted themselves to study. Even' at the present time not more than onefourth of those who passed the competitive examinations found employment in the service, so that even under the existing act there were plenty of qualified aspirants for the office without reducing the standard of examination. Captain RUSSELL (continuing) condemned the system by which, through political influence, persons were temporarily appointed to the civil service on the understanding that they should pags'the junior civil service examination, and, haying failed, they still maintained their position and were given an opportunity to pass the following year, and so on, to the disadvantage of those who had passed the senior civil service examination, but failed to obtain an appointment. The standard for even the senior examination was only moderately high, and he considered the bill only gave more power to the Government to give appointments to political friends. Mr G. W. RUSSELL condemned the bill as lowering the standard of education for the civil service. He could only regard it as a means of enabling certain persons fo obtain a position in the service that they were too lazy or incompetent to achieve tinder the law. He contended that a person who had passed the junior examination and obtained a position in the service, and who failed to pass the senio/ examination within a reasonable time, should be deemed to be no longer capable of holding any position in the seryice. What was the use of the State subsidising colleges and universities if by such a bill they proposed to lower the. status of education for th© oivil

service. It was only by appointing to tlie civil service those who, by a competitive ex- ; animation, passed highest on the list that they would have in the service of the State the best talent of the colony. Mr MEREDITH concurred in the views ex- ' pressed by the previous speaker, and would 1 prefer to see the standard raided instead of lowered. The bill was not nece.s^ary, and in the interests of the State it should not be allowed to pass. I Mr GILFEDDER asked what opportunity i the f-on. of a settler in the back blocks had of ! gaining admission into the public service if J the standard of education was so high that I only people well to do could hope to pass. j Ho contended that a pass in the Sixth Stan- | dard should be regarded as sufficient qualificai tion for entrance to the service. There should , be no uniform or rigid system of examination, , but applicants should be allowed to select ' certain subjects, proficiency in which would be i of value in the different departments. I Mr W. ERASER would not oppose the j second reading, but would endeavour to effect certain amendments in committee. Mr MASSEY condemned the system by which a temporary clerk was appointed without any examination over the head of persons who had so passed. He would like to see a ' system adopted by which appointments would • be made without the interference of either . Ministers or members of the House. ! Mr -BARCLAY contended that the standard of education should be lowered for admission to the civil service, as he believed* in the children of poorer people being able to get into the service. ' Mr J. ALLEN said the public school sylla- ; bus enabled a boy to qualify to pass the ( junior examination, so that the cry that only those who attended college were able to pass ' "was not correct. He regarded the propose 1 to do away with the competitive examination as one of the blots of the bill, which, he hoped, would not pass its second reading. | Mr MONK believed in appointments being ' made according to merit, and as the bill did not provide for that he would oppose it. I Mr BENNET denied that children in the country had no hope of appointment to tne '' civil service, and gave instances where boys attending country schools had by perseverance passed the examination requisite to obtain , .appointments. ' Mr R. THOMPSON did not understand ( the neoes&ity for the bill. ; Mr COLLINS would vote against the bill cm the ground that it would lower the stan1 dard of educational fitness for the civil ser- , vice. He did not attach too much importance ! to education ; but, at any rate, the passing of i an examination was an indication of abilit} 1 " and persistence and other qualities of value. "MJr J. HUTCHESON would open the door widely to applicants for the civil service, but j he would narrow the path to the upward I branches of the service. He believed the bill was meant only for political purposes. Mr FOWLUS saw a difficulty in doing away with the senior examination. The bill was too vague and indecisive. The Hon. Mr WARD, in reply, said he was surprised that a bill which had passed another [ place without dissent should have aroused so much oppositon. The bill merely proposed that those- who had passed the junior examination should be allowed to attain to a salary of £200 instead of £100. He pointed out that come of the best men in certain branches of the service had not passed higher than the Fourth or Fifth Standard, and that such men were, under the present law, prevented from receiving a higher salary than £100 a year. .He denied that there was the slightest reason for the insinuation that the bill was intended ! for political purposes. The alternative to j appointments by the Administration of the 1 day was a civil service boaid, which he characterised as a huge failure. The motion for the second reading was I carried by 34- to 23. PROTECTION OF ANIMALS. The House went into committee on the Animals' Protection Acts Amendment Bill. In reply' to a suggestion by Mr Carneross that the date of the opening of the shootingseason should, for the South Island, be the Ist April instead of the Ist May, and by Mr Monk that the date for North Island should | be- the 24th May, Mr WARD said he could i not see his way to alter the date named in I the bill. Since the second reading of the bill he had received a number of telegrams from acclimatisation societies approving o£ the Ist May as the opening- date. Clause 2.— Mr MORRISON moved an amendment that the season for the_ South Island shall begin on the Ist April. Lost by 49 to 8. Clause 3.— Mr WILFORD referred to the wholesale killing of pheasants which would result in the extermination of these birds, and moved an amendment absolutely preventing the sale of pheasants. Lost on the voices. Mr MILLAR moved to report progress ?s a protest against the opening date being the Ist May. If it were intended to protect game, ! let a close season for three years be declared, or shorten the length of the open season ; but he contended that if there was to be an open season the date should be such as would fcuit all classes of the community. Lost on the voices. Mr T. MACKENZIE moved an amendment that no native game be sold. Lost on the voices. Clause 4-. — Mr ELL moved an amendment that it shall not be lawful to liberate any stoat, weasel, or ferret in any part of the colony.— Lost by 32 to 18.— Mr WILLIS moved a further amendment removing the restriction against killing stoats, weasels, and ferrets.— Carried on the casting vote of the chairman. Progress was reported. THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS. A deputation of Canterbury members that waited on the Minister of Education to-day dealt with a question of colonial importance — viz., the granting of further State aid to the normal training schools. Mr Meredith, who headed the deputation, said there had up till 1887 been a grant of £2000 a year for the Canterbury institution, but the vote was then clisi continued, and in 1893 a sum of £300 in aid 1 of the school appeared on the Estimates. I Since that year only £300 per annum had been i voted, an amount that was totally inadequate. i In 10 years 3.55 teachers had passed through the Canterbury school. Many of these had gone to other districts, and some were now occupying high po&itions in the. North Island. Mr Buddo pointed out that the Otago Normal School would also have to be considered m this .matter. At present the vote was £600, which was divided between Canterbury and Otago. Mr G. W. Russell interjected, "We are not Otago members." Mi Meredith'replied that that was so, but in a matter like this they would have to be fair and aboveboard. The Hon. Mr Walker: "These are the only two boards that maintain normal schools." Mr Buddo: "Yes; and xuilass some grant is made, it will be a serioiis matj ter." Mr Hardy said he hoped the Minister I would apprecia-te the seriousness of the position. If not, the school must go down. The Education Board, he pointed out, could carry

on the training of teachers much more economically than the Government could if it started a training school. Mr G. W. Russell pointed out that in this case the Government were not asked to establish a new institution, but only to help one that had justified its existence by the splendid work it had done. Mr Flatman said something would also have to be done for the Dunedin school. Mr Rnocles concurred in what the other members of the deputation had said. Mr Walker, in reply, feaid he would look at the matter in the broadest sense, and in the interests of every district in the colony. He knew how essential the training of teachers was, and the matter was not being lost sight of. When the matter of teachers' salaries was submitted to Parliament shortly it would be found that the normal schools had not been forgotten, but' that special consideration would be given to them. He hoped the matter would be treated from a colonial point of view. No teachers should go to work without having been trained in a proper institution. He also bore in mind a suggestion made at the teachers' meeting in Timaru to the effect that secondary school teachers should also go through a course of training. Method was the foundation of the success of our primary teaching, and it was beyond comprehension that there should not be provision for secondary school teachers going through a similar course. Mr Hardy: ''We are doing that now in Canterbury. We have two Al.A.'s who have become irapil teachers for the purpose of learning method." Mr Walker: "1 am very glad to hear it. I can tell you that something will be done this session to assist the two normal schools as a matter of expediency for the time being." It was explained by Mr Meredith during the course of the interview that the other Canterbury members who were unable to be present sympathised with the aims of the deputation. It is surmised that the Government may eventually take this matter out of the hands of the boards. WHAT THE PENNY POSTAGE MEANS. In answer to Mr Hogg, the Postmastergeneral said the establishment of the penny postage on Ist January applied to all places outside the colony as well as within the colony. The Government intended to establish the penny post within the Imperial dominions, and with other places which would allow us to send our letters there for a penny. He had received a congratulatory cablegram from the authorities in London, who asked if it was intended to inaugurate an Imperial penny postage. He had also received a message from Pietermaritzburg offering to reciprocate. A similar cablegram had also been received from India. The boon would be in operation to its fullest extent in January next. GAS ENGINES. Mr Witheford presented a petition from MiLawrence Nathan and 32 others urging ■that in using gas engines an engine-driver's certificates shall not be compulsory. It was pointed out that 50,000 gas engines are operated in Great Britain without any statutory restrictions. Mr Witheford appeared before the Public Petitions Committee in support of four other petitions of a similar nature. Messrs Fowlds, Monk, Buddo, Meredith, and Jj:.mt were present, and warmly supported the petition. It was decided to report in favour of the petitions. THE CIVIL SERVICE. In connection with the stuffing of the civil service with incapables for political purposes, it would appear that the Government chickens are now coming home to roost. The Civil Service Examination Bill, of which Mr Ward has charge, is condemned in unmeasured terms, not only by the Opposition, but also by many men on the Government side of the House. For instance, Mr G. W. Russell tonight declared that the bill was an attempt to meet certain special cases to enable men who were too indolent or too incapable to pass the civil service examinations. Such men -were to be placed over the heads of those who had qualified themselves for admission to the service, and had qualified to fill positions in accordance with the law. The bill went back 14 years to enable such men to daw £200 a year in defiance of the present law. They had no right to do this. It was most unfair to the young men who had qualified themselves by passing both examinations. Other members of the Government party, such as MiMeredith, counselled the Minister to withdraw the "bill. If he . would not do this he would urge hon. members to vote against the bill at every stage, -so as to prevent its becoming law. THE TARIFF QUESTION. The opposition to Mr Seddon's tariff reductions, in so far as they affect colonial industries, continues. City and Suburban members to the number of 25 met this morning and discus&sd the position. A subcommittee was appointed to obtain statistics and other information, to be submitted to another meeting of the members interested. JOTTINGS. Mr J. Allen is urging the Minister of Public Works to have a survey made of a line of railway to the Taieri River, via Brighton and Kuri Bush. Mr M'Nab is to move that there be laid before this House a return showing up to the date hereof the names of all members of the New Zealand contingents (1) who have been killed in action ; (2) who have died of disease or accident ; (3) who have returned to the colony invalided or wounded ; and (4) who have joined the South African Police. The petition of David Miller, of Catlins, for an old-age pension has been referred to the Government for consideration. The A to L Petitions Committee has no recommendation to make regarding the Rev. Dr Bannerman's petitions against the Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill and the repeal of the law authorising the totalisator. James Simpson Neave, solicitor, of Gore, is petitioning Pailiament to recoup him for services rendered in prosecuting one Lambert for perjury at the instance of John James Meikle. His costs amount to £639, and he has received no payment from Meikle nor from the Government. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22. In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, questions, as usual, took up nearly the whole of " the afternoon sitting. A motion challenging a ruling of the Speaker, which Mr Fisher contends interfered with the right of members ti speak freely about judges, was talked out. The Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill was passed. Progress was reported front committee on the District Court Act Amendment Bill. The State Schools Compulsory Drill Bill and the Impounding Act Amendment Bill were considered in committee. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Mr HOGG asked whe^Jjer the Government

will take steps to have the Family Bible, said to have been looted from the Transvaal, and now in the Wanganui Museum, returned lo th« owners. The Hon. Mr HALL-JONES said the Government had no knowledge of the subject, but now that their attention had been called to the matter they would make inquiries with a view to the Bible being returned to the owner. Ministers replied to further questions to the following effect : — Prisoners have not commenced work o*jl Mount Cook with a view to the building there being converted to barracks, but temporary arrangements are being mad© for th« accommodation of members of tho Permanent Artillery, »and for the field battery shortly to arrive. Mr FISHER asked if the Government would give precedence to the motion challenging the Speaker'?, ruling on the subject of the judges, given during the debate on the second reading of the Supreme Court Judge Appoint' ment Bill. The Hon. Mr WARD replied that he recog, liiced the importance of the question, p.uj'i upon the return of the Premier would give ft definite reply. In reply to Mr Meredith, who asked cc what extent the Government were responsible for the audit of the accounts of the Bank of New Zealand in reference to the cas6 of the embezzlement of £4583 by officials of the bank at Raugiora. The Bon. Mr WARD said the Government were not responsible. Apart from the atiditor, the inspectors' department was responsible for the detailed audit of branch bank accounts. In any case the bank would not be a loser, as the g\iarantee fund would bear the deficiency. In reply to a series of questions, finishing by a request that the Government would hold a further inquiry into the management of theStoke Industrial School, The Hon. Mr HALL-JONES said the evidence taken at the recent inquiry would shortly be in the hands of the Government, and it would be desirable to wait until then before giving a definite reply to the request. Replying to other questions Ministers said they did not intend to introduce legislation with the object of removing all civil and political disabilities of women, believing that women did not desire such a measure. The Government do not propose to reimbur.,o the co-operative dairy companies for th income tax paid on last year's return, but that the tax would not he imposed in future. The Government will inquire into the alleged offer by the late Hon. Mr Ballance to set aside 50,000 to 100,000 acres as an endowment to New Plymouth Harbour. Mr HORNSBY moved the adjournment of the House, contending that the answer qf Ministers to the question with regard to reimbursing co-operative dairy companies foi the income tax on last year's return was unsatisfactory. Mr WARD said the Government fully recognised the importance of the dairy industry, but buch a thing as returning taxation was unprecedented. The taxation hitherto levied oi> co-operative dairy factories would, he said, not be reppated. After discussion, the motion for the ad journment was lost. CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS. Mr COLLINS moved that the House is o{ opinion that the absence of a proper system ' of classification of prisoners in the gaols of the colony is detrimental alike to the prisoners themselves, and of the best interests of the colony, and that it is the duty cf the Government to effect a change in the present condition by introducing an improved system of classification of prisoners. The Hon. Mr M'GOWAN said that to carry out a system of classification in all the small gaols of the colony would entail an enormous expenditure. The system of classification was carried out as far as possible at present. The motion was agreed to. A RULING CHALLENGED. Mr FISHER moved a motion to the effect that the ruling of the Speaker during the debate on the Supreme Court Judge Appointment Bill, that a member of Parliament, or Parliament itself, may not discuss every phase of the conduct of a, judge of the Supreme Court, is an abrogation of the parliamentary and constitutional rights of members of the House. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED HUSBAND'S BROTHER. The Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill was committed. Clause 2 " Marriage with deceased husband's brother permissible."— Mr R. THOMPSON thought the House should be careful about making the bill retrospective. — Mr J. ALLEN moved to strike out the proviso providing that the act shall not render valid any such marriage in any ease where either of the parties to such marriage shall thereafter before the passing of this act deprive, or be held to have deprived, any person of any property which such person may have lawfully inherited prior to the coming into operation of this act, or effect any lis pendens. — Lost by 34- to 7. The bill was reported without amendment DISTRICT COURTS. The District Courts Act, 1858, Amendment Bill was committed. The Hon. Mr M'GOWAN thought the bill went too far, and moved an amendment restricting- the operation of the bill to offences punishable by not more than seven years, which the member in charge (Mr Hogg) agreed to accept.— Mr WILFORD considered the bill a most dangerous one, and hoped it would be consigned to oblivion. It did away with the grand jury system, to which he objected. — Mr LAURENSON condemned the system of legal procedure, its expense, and the slow progress, and looked upon the grand jury as an obsolete system. — Mr NAPIER said he would oppose the bill as conferring too much power upon district judges, while he sympathised with the proposal to in some measure extend the jurisdiction of District Courts. — Mr LEWIS moved to report progress, which was carried by 34 to 23. | DRILLING SCHOOL CHILDREN. The State .School Children Compulsory Drill Bill was committed. The Hon. Mr HALL-JONES pointed out that the proposals of the Government indicated that they were taking such steps as would meet the object of the bill. — Mr GILFEDDER was of opinion that the increased capitation grant proposed to be given by the Government was required to keep teachers' salaries up to a fair standard. Unless tho Government provided funds for the payment of drill instructors the provisions of the bill could not be carried out by education boards. Clause 2. — Mr WILLIS moved to include girls to be taught military and physical drill. — Mr SYMES pointed out that to carry out the bill it would bo necessary that teachers, should be so trained in drill that they would* be competent to impart instruction. — Mr> HOGG objected to the inference in the biU;

that education boards were failing in their duty in not imparting military drill, at any rate as far as Wellington was concerned. — Mr HEKE contended that Native children should also be taught drill.— Mr MEREDITH said the operation of the bill would cost £6500 annually, and he asked Government if they were prepared to grant that amount. The additional sum promised by Government to education boards would all be required to place teachers' salaries on a reasonable footing.. — The amendment to include girls was carried by 19 to 10. Clause 5, " grants to board stopped if not complied with," was struck out, as was also clause 6, making the act apply to all public schools at which the average attendance of boys over eight years is less than 10. A new clause was added to the bill makingit apply to children over the age of eight years attending Native schools. Mr FOWLDS proposed a new clause that that those parents who have conscientious objections to their children being taught military drill should be exempted from such drill. Lost by 31 to 16. Mr PIRANI moved to add a new clause to the effect that the Minister of Education and members of the education boards should if they fail to, carry out the provisions of the bill be liable to a fine of £50. Lost on the "voices. IMPOUNDING BILE. The Impounding Act Amendment Bill, altering the law in regard to the control of pigs and goats, was committed. Mr HEEE moved a new clause repealing - section 5 of the net to give Natives the right to impound cattle trespassing on their land. Lost by 20 to 9. The bill was reported with amendments. BILL PASSED. The Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Hou3e rose at 12.35 a.m.