PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

Southland Times, Issue 17060, 5 June 1912, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CIECtn.AH, FROM CHAIRMAN. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 4. The Public Service Commission is intent on business, and even the holiday on Monday was not allowed to interfere with the sitting. Evidence is being taken from various members of departments, and it is anticipated that the Wellington sittings will last until late next week.

A circular letter signed by the chairman (Mr tv. D. Hunt) h.as been sent to all under .secretaries, heads of departments, officers and members of Uic unclassified departments of the service. It points out that the Commission is now in session and adds; “If there is any matter you desire to bring under notice, either personally or by letter, the Commission will be glad to hear from you.” The circular continues: "For your information, the Commission has decided and wishes all officers and members of the service to clearly understand, that it will deal with all evidence as strictly confidential, and all those officers who are engaged on the work of the Commission will be sworn to secrecy. Officers and members of the public service may, under these circumstances, rest assured that any evidence given by them to the Commission will not in any way act prejudicially to their interests. 11 will bo readily understood that it may be quite impossible to summon every officer or member of the different departments who maty wish to give evidence; but cases will be dealt with on their merits, and, in the event of several applications being received from the officers nr members of any one department, the Commission could then select a representative case or cases on which to have evidence taken. It is the desire of the Commission to afford every class or grade of the public service the opportunity of volunteering evidence. . The Commission will also be prepared to Like evidence at sittings to be held at Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. I desire to further point out that any request from officers or members in the service outside the four centres will be duly considered, and the Commission may summon such officers or members to give evidence at the nearest centre.”