THE PRIME MINISTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 61

THE PRIME MINISTER.

SPEECH AT AUCKLAND. MORE SALARIED MINISTERS WANTED. THE CIVIL SERVICE. AUCKLAND, April 26. The Prime Minister, referring to th® remark that Mr Myers had assumed th® responsibilities of two men, said that with the enlargement of public functions and responsibilities the work of the Government was such that it could not be performed efficiently without increasing" the number of Ministers. He had suggested, and would still suggest, tJiat there should be two more paid Ministers. They could not govern the affairs of the Dominion properly xuiless they moved about and came into contact with the people. Mr Myers was almost alarmed when he learned for what duties he had been selected, but in entrusting him with responsibilities he (Mr Mackenzie) was aware of th© quality of tire man. Speaking of the delay ‘in opening up Nativ® lands, and the lack of surveyors, the Prim© Minister said that complaint had been made that the examinations were too severe and the pay inadequate. Mention of pay suggested the question of tb© civil service, about which a great deal was heard from Wellington that war from the point of view of the civil servant. The people should also look at th© subject from th© masters’ point of view, and decide whether they were getting th® services which they were entitled to expect. He declared that the system of promotion by seniority would never do in a progressive country. Iho Government muot select tli6 best mexu and its fingers at those who talked of poh* tical favouritism. He was not thinking of the Civil Service Board, which was but a patchwork proposal, like putting a new lid on a cracked pot. He had a sincere desire to bring the civil service up to the requirements of the country, and he 'wished to see a thorough investigation of its methods. The Prime Minister was accorded an enthusiastic send-off at the Auckland railway station this morning. v