PUBLIC SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12752, 23 September 1919, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE.

IMPROVED CONTROL. [Pkr Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, September 2-3 .A deputation from the Public Service Association met the Prime MinisIZ t °'^ a J and various matt.rs relating to the control of the service. ¥;■ Vric!u ’ vice-president, said that public servants generally were " av , ou . r Present system of con- ’ u^ r^'i ie T suggested an improvcTho association felt satisfied that the new system had suppressed and checkea many abuses, and if the Act was amended to provide for im provements.. which time had shown to bo necessary, the centralised and independent, as part from political connrnrl,. the PU ? hc £ervice i Promised to produce even belter results in future, ihe association proposed the establishment of a public service hoard ot to in dude a member elected by the service. Mr Weight insisted on a continuation of the right appeal, and asked the Government to give an indication as to when it was hkely to introduce an amendment of the Public Service Act. The association desired to secure a payment’ll t:. t° .ml public servants, as a cost ot ‘ e; a . s from A Pril 1 'last, the J übhe Service Commissioner bad Staten definitely that be would have no objection to a £45 all-round increase proved a way was f ounf ]. The asso _ nation believed that the Government, having conceded to the railway officer., that a ~40 all round increase was equitable should .do likewise to tho general public .service. ™Plj’in2. said he was glad to hear that a great majority of members or the public service had no desire to go back to the old system, it it is possible to prevent it we shall i-P tke °id system,” said the Prime Minister. If time permitP,ii; ht, Q nC f - £ ' d ' arr) P n dment of tho the Act ™ild be placed on the Statute Book. He would be pleased to put the association's suggestions before Cabinet. The term of office of the present Commissioners had nearly come to an end, but it was not' intended that they should go out of office at the end of the year or for some months afterwards. He was to think the proposed Board of Control d ™ rk - and the proposal for a £45 all round increase would bo considered by Cabinet.