THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20440, 19 October 1934, Page 11

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

First Annual Dinner Held Last Evening. The Public Service Administration Society, which has as its ideal increased efficiency in the personnel and general operation of public administration. held its first annual dinner last evening-, and there were some interesting points raised in connection with the Civil Service in New Zealand. The president, Mr C. G. S. Ellis, said that the society’s tirst year had seen satisfactory work done. He welcomed the patron, Air P. Verschaffelt, and the visitors. Dr J. Flight, Professor Tocker, the Rev J. K. Archer (Deputy-Mayor of Christchurch) and Air J. S. Neville (Town Clerk). The toast of *’ The Public Administration Society” was proposed’by Mr L. C. Webb, who said that a great field of work lay ahead. It was the task of the society to improve the administrative personnel. The problem of government was the pressing problem, and it was the personnel of Government that counted. New Zealand had reason to be proud of Its administrative personnel. Ftesponding, Mr F. W. Furby (Chief Postmaster) traced the formation of the society. It was hoped that a university diploma course would soon be an established feature of studies to fit young men for public administrative work. In that the Canterbury College rector and lecturers had been most, helpful. The foundation of a Chair of Public Administration was one of the most ambitious of the society’s aims. The Rev .1. IC. Archer, proposing the toast of “ The Public Service,” paid a iribute to the efficiency of the service generally, and to the great capability of the Commissioner, Air VersehafTelt. Responding. Air Verschaffelt said he had worked to arouse enthusiasm so that a society kindred to the Christchurch society could be formed in Wellington. It wan owing to the Christchurch example that the movement had

At the conclusion of the toast-list. Air Verschaffelt gave a talk on the general subject of public administration.