THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12815, 15 July 1912, Page 5

THE CIVIL SERVICE.

HON. A. L. HERDMAN'S PROPOSALS

.' ' „ (Special to Herald.) ( WELLINGTON, this day. J Probably the new Government is not likely to go so far along the Jine of civil service reorganisation as was suggested by 'some of its supporters when they were but. the important' subject is being taken m hand at once. The Hon. Mr Herdman informs me that he has forwarded (his Public Service Reform Bill to the Crown law draftsman, Avith instructions to put it into shape for the consideration of the . Government. "We haA'e not yet decided* on the legist lation we intend to bring forward;" iemarked the Minister, "because we have not had time. We have been extremely busy -getting into touch with administrative officers and their Avork, and, "of course, the whole question must wait until the -Public Service Commission has" reported the results of. its investiga'-'j tions."' The measure which the Minister | introduced as an ordinary member j sought to set up a board of three com : missioners, appointed for seven years, outside the ranks of the Civil Service, to- completely control the Civil Service, independently of Parliament or the Ministry. One of the proposed conditions bf the commissioners' appointment is that if they permit any Minister or member of Parliament to influence , them m connection with the appointment or promotion of a, Civil servant they shall immediately vacate office. PRISON MANAGEMENT. In his capacity of Minister of Justice and Minister m charge of prisons, the N Hon. A. L. Herdman was asked if he intends actively taking up prison reform. His reply was : "I have instructed the Under-Secretary for Justice to procure for me. the report /of a conference of gaolers recently held here. When that comes to hand I will go into the whole questioh of prison management."