The Sun MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 128, 6 July 1914, Page 6

The Sun MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

When the Public Service Commissioners assumed office nearly two years agoj most people who were at all familiar with the methods, of Government Departments, knew that they had a task of no ordinary magnitude on their hands. Everyone is a reformer of a kind —that is to say, a reformer of others—but no one likes being the subject of a reform, least of all a Statepaid official who has been following ancient- precedents and stereotyped methods handed down-from the days of the provincial governments/ None but the Commissioners themselves will ever know, and they are not likely to tell, of the passive resistance offered in various quarters towards the innovations essential to the modernising of the Public Sen-i<-,e. A hint of the opposition is contained in the report of the Chief Commissioner, Mr D. Robertson, which was presented to Parliament on Friday last, and is one of the most valuable am! interesting documents likely to be laid on the table during the present session. So-me time back, Mr G. W. Russell, speaking at Palmerston North, announced an intention, if returned to office, of endeavouring to abolish - the Commissioners, and since then prominent Liberals have declared in favour of "restoring Ministerial control" of the Public Service, whatever that may mean. We are satisfied that if Mr Robertson's report could be circulated broadcast the public would not tolerate for a moment any such reactionary suggestion as the abolition of the Commissioners. Unfortunately it is a very bulky paper, and costs 2/- a copy from the Government printer. The public will, therefore, have to be content with sv.cli summaries as the newspapers have been able to give. The introduction of ordinary business methods into .many departments which did not seem to know the meauing of the term, has resulted not only in great economies, but an increased despatch and convenience to the public. One of the most useful innovations adopted relates to books and printed forms. There is always a tendency for State Departments to multiply forms of every description which require to be filled in, checked and Jiled for reference. In the payment of accounts the Government now follows the rational'' and common sense ,method used by business firms, of drawing cheques to order, and obviating thp necessity of the jtayee .visiting a : office to receipt a voucher and obtain a. counter signature. Such a simple,innervation, but one saving countless hours of

valuable time, might have been adopted years ago had it been anyone's business to see to it. In this and in numerous other ways the Commissioners have simplified and increased the efficiency of Government Departments. Several pages of the appendix to the report are devoted to illustrations showing how the forms previously in use in certain departments have been simplified to an astonishing extent. One of the best features of Commissioner control of the Public Service is the encouragement offered to officers to suggest improved methods. In this way many valuable and helpfxil ideas have been elicited, some of which are being put into practice with excellent results. Although it is early to look for the full fruit of Commissioner control, it is evident that the Public Service now offers opportunities of recognition and advancement for intelligent and competent officers, that they never had before, and there seems to be genuine ground for believing that the average Government Department may yet be abje to compare favourably with a well-con-ducted business house in the matter of efficiency and the despatch of business.