PUBLIC SERVICE.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15127, 18 February 1922, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVICE.

STAFFS REDUCED. IDEPARTMENTS AMALGAMATED. x (Press Association.) 1 WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. The Prime Minister stated yesterday that he had received a return •from 'the Public Service Commissioner giving a comparison of the staff employed in the Public Service on April > l, 1921, and tho staff employed on January 31, 1922. The return showed that, owing to the falling off in activities, there had been reductions of the permanent staffs in most departments.-, The services of 247 officers had been •terminated, and their positions had not been filled. In addition the temporary staff (excluding work men) had been reduced by 492, being a total reduction of 739. Tho reductions in the staff, it is understood, are -continuing where reduced activities justify such a step being taken. Only in the staff of the" Mental Hospitals Department, w here the hours and conditions of the employees have been improved, and the Health Department,, where a number of inspectors have "been taken over from the local authorities, is there any increase. Thq figures above quoted do not apply to the Postal and Railway, or Defence Departments. Dealing with tho amalgamations of departments, Mr. Massey intimated that the Government insurance, State fire and National Provident and Friendly Societies offices would be effected at an early date 1 . Arrangements had been completed for tho Commissioner of Taxes to assume control of the stamp duties and lands and deeds . department, and the combined department would be known as the Inland Revenue Department. The housing branch of the Labour Department would be closed down immediately, and other amalgamations of depart wents were in train. There are still a number of recommendations from the Economies Committee to bo given effect to, and they will, be attended to opportunity offers.