Public Service.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 6

Public Service .

Mr Coates’s Hot Reply to Labour Attack.

(“ Star ” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, This Day r PIIE ASSERTION that if ever a change was made in the control of the Public Service the first protest would come from the Public Service itself, was made in the House last night by Mr Coates, when replying to a statement by Mr M'Keen (Wellington South) that the Public Service Commissioner was “a good tool of the Ministers.” Mr Coates replied: “ 1 hat i* the most unfair and unsubstantiated statement ever made in this House. You may have the credit of iLand I say it will do vou no credit at all.” Mr Coates, in speaking during the discussion on the Native Commission’s report, said Mr M’Keen had made the statement that the Public Service Commissioner was only a tool in the hands of the Government. Mr M’Keen: I believe it Mr Coates: I am sorry*, Jt doesn t do Mt M Keen justice. He also made the statement that there was more corruption in the Public Service than anywhere else Mr M’Keen: Among the heads ot departments. Mr Coates: He wants a Royal Commission to inquire into the conduct of the departments. We have had that about almost every' department of State trom time to time from the Opposition benches. I want to ask Mr M’Keen if he honestly believes and seriously' thinks that public affairs are not carried out honestly'. Mr Parry (Auckland Central-): A spring cleaning would do no harm. Mr Coates: I have heard that before, bor thirteen years you have been saying that. Mr Coates added that Mr M'Keen s suggestion was unworthy of the member who 111 Mr M’Keen: I take full responsibility for itMr Coates: Very well, and I say that if there is anv proposal for change of control of the Public Service in the Dominion the first expression of protest would come from the Public Service itself. Never do they want to go back to the old days when it was by the will of a p®litician or the Government of the day r that a man was appointed, promoted or otherwise dealt with.