THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 24

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, June 20. The Executive Council of the New Zealand Public Service Association opened its conference here to-day, Mr W. M. Wright presiding. The Acting Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) was present at the opening, and addressed the delegates. The Public Service Act, said Sir Francis, had ooine into force when he was at the head of the department concerned. Gradually they had come to an understanding which had brought them into amicable relations, and he lipped sincerely that those relations would continue and increase in strength. He had recognised all along: that the heads of departments and individual members of the service had a high sense of their common duty, and the main question which would arise from time to time, that of remuneration, was one which could only be met. by mutual consideration on the part of the Public Service and the Government. So far, except in one or two instances, mutual discussion and mutual co-operation bad enabled them to avoid any serious dispute. The Government, and he thought the public, was becoming alarmed at the tremendous increase in the charges of administration. That increase was largely in labour, and not in the special work which the Publio Service Executive represented. New Zealand . had to make a pause. The Government, after grave consideration, had to set an example by retaining, during the present winter at all events, even the superfluous officers of the service. Heads of departments who desired to economise, had agreed to fall into line, otherwise the Government might easily have increased unemployment at a time when unemployment was so prevalent, although it was not present to an alarming extent so far.