THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 18

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

CONTROL BY COMMISSIONERS. (Feom Our Own Coeeeseondent.) WELLINGTON, September 21. A short discussion on the Public Service Commissioner's Office vote, whan the Estimates were under consideration in the House this evening, led to a confession by the Hon. G. W. Russell that the result of bi| experience of the system * had convertea him to its favour. As a result the Minister; was strongly attacked by Mr M'Callnm for his apostasy from one of the Liberal' party's cardinal doctrines.

The discussion arose through Mr Witty asking when the term of the commissioners would expire. Ho said many people would be pleased when it did, as they had proved a great expense and of no use. He ~felt eure that no Government would reappoint them. The Hon. Mr Russell stated that three years and a-half of their term had expired, and three years and a-half had to go.

•Mr Wilford suggested that they should obtain an actuarial calculation of the capital amount represented by the commissioners' salary, pay them this, and let them go. Mr Hindmarsh said he would be sorry to see the commissioners go. He instanced the case of a man who, before the appointment of the commissioners, had been discharged by the head of his department, but half an hour later had returned with a letter from a Minister stating -that he was to be retained. Mr Hindmarsh said he had known of men employed in Government departments who were convicted of drunkenness, and did very little work in the week, but were useful political touts. There was no woi'6o system than to offer a man a job if he changed his political views. He asked tho Minister to stand up and candidly state his present views as the result of his experience of tho work of the commissioners.

Mr Russell said he had taken very strong exception to the appointment of the commissioners. For two years he had been acting as Minister in Charge of the Public Service Commissioners' Office, and his opinion was that whatever might happen in regard to the present board the countrywould never be willing to go back to the position before they were appointed. Let hon. members understand w-hat it meant at a time like this, when Ministers were working at pressure, to be relieved from being canvassed for political appointments. He was not going to say anything about what happened before the Public Service Commissioners were appointed, but it _waa an enormous advanage to any Ministry fco have some system established by which, Ministers were prevented from having to deal with personal applications for office under the Government. The, establishment of the commissioners had been in one or two respects of very great service to the public servants. One of the great advantages had been that there had been a grading and classification of officers and a grading of pay, so that officers throughout the service were paid a fair average rate of pay for their work no matter what department they were in. He thought that, taking it on the whole, the service was satisfied with the „ administration. —(" Hear, hear," and " No, no.") Ho ventured to say that while there were points in which the Public Service Commissioners were criticised it was rather in regard to the interpretation of the law than in regard to their administration. If the present system was abolished the only thing that could replace it was the appointment of a Minister for the public service, to have the same powers as the commissioners had. One advantage of that would be that the Minister would be on the floor of tho House, and would be able to meet any charges made against his administration. The Minister's speech was followed by a remarkable outburst by Mr M'Callum. Ho 6tated that when tho National Cabinet was formed it had been decided to exclude party strife. They had just had a party speech by tho Minister, who had swung right round and attacked the policy of the Liberal party. Would he. favour the railway service being put under tho control of the commissioners! Would Jie favour the Police Department being placed under the same control? "How dare lie get up and defend the commissioner system?" said Mr M'Callum. "He is not genuine, he is not sincere, and it is no business of his to make such a speech. The Minister started to defend thorn, and he worked right round by declaring for political cofctroi—the placing of a Minister in> charge. It was monstrous. Mr Hindmarsh had never supported the National Government, and he had his own reasons for asking tho Minister to state his views. Mr M'Callum declared that tho commissioner pohcy should never be defended by a Liberal Minister. He wanted to know why the ablest of tho commissioners had been taken entirely away from the office and put * in charge of a certain department. There was no need to secure the_ services of an actuary to make a computation as had been suggested, because he (Mr M'Callum) ventured to say that Mr Triggs would take another department at the same salary and be in a more congenial sphere. Mr Robertson had only to go back to the Post and Telegraph Department, and some position could no doubt be found for Mr Thomson. Mr Wright said tho Public Service Commissioners were highly unpopular. They were roundly and soundly condemned in every branch of tho service. it true that when men applied for positions in the public service they were asked to what religion they belonged? There was a very ugly feeling in the public service on the question. , Tho Minister of Internal Affairs said tnere was not one word of truth in the statement. No applicant for a position in the publia service was asked any question at all regarding his religion. N Mr Fletcher said ho had opposeci the appointment of the commissioners, and he objected to still. They had done some good work, but they had produced a great deal of dissatisfaction.