THE CIVIL SERVICE

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5966, 3 August 1912, Page 4

THE CIVIL SERVICE

MR HERMAN'S BILL. The Minister of Justice (Hon. A. L. Hcrdman) informed a New Zealand Times representative that tho Oivil Service Eeform Bill, which he ed to introduce- this session, would bo very similar to the one he brought down as a private member's bill in the 1911 and previous sessions. The bill, ho said, was now in the printer's hands. He indicated that although the measure would be introduced, in all probability it would not lx' proceeded with this year, as there would not bo time for the House to fully discuss it. The measure that Mr Herdman so often tried to place on the Statute Book provided for the placing of the civil service mder a chief commissioner and two assistant commissioners appointed by tho Goveruor-iu-Council, the commissioners being responsible to Parliament alone.

AN IMPORTANT CLAUSE. The first operative provision runs thus :—After the passing of this Act any persm who obtains the assistance of, or attcitupts to obtain the assistance of, any Minister of the Crown or member of Parliament for the purpose of obtaining employment in .the public service .shall be disqualified from obtaining such employment, and ;iny person who, whilst} employed in the public service, obtains, or attempts to obtain, the assistance of any Minister of the CiVwn or member oi Parliament for the purpose of obtaining promotion or any personal advantage in the public service shall forthwith be dismissed." The chief commissioner may be suspended from his office by the Governor for misbehaviour or incompetence but shall not be rouiovd from ollice, unless Parliament so declared within 21 days after receiving from the .Prime Minister a full statement of the grounds of suspicion. On the. recommendation of the chief commissioner the Governor may suspend or remove the assistant commissioners or any of them. EEEICIENGY AND ECONOMY.

In order to insure the establishment and continuance of a proper standard of efficiency and economy in the public service the chief commissioner is to cause each department to be itispectctl as often as is essential'; and he or liis assistant commissioners are to investigate tile character the wytli performed by every olliccr therein, and tltc cflicicncy, economy, and general working of such department, both separately lv nd in relation to other departments, and may for such purpose examine the permanent heads of such department and such other witnesses as may appear to be necessary. The chief commissioner is empowered to transfer any persons from a department where he considers there is an excess of eajployees to any other department which may require additional assistance. If the persons found to be in excess cannot be profitably employed in any other department then their services are to be dispensod with. The ehief commissioner is authorised to increase or diminish tht total number of persons to be employed or alter the distribution of ollicers in any department.

APPEAL BOARD. There is provision for appeal to a board consisting of a judge oi the .Supreme Court or oi the Arbitration Court (who will be chairman), tin: chief commissioner and an o'lieer serving in the department in which the appellant is employed and who has been elected >a meinben of the- board of appeal by the officers of such department. The machinery for election is fully set out. COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS. The chief commissioner is subject to the Governor, to make regulations for the competitive examination of persons desirous of admission into. Hie public service, which are to prescribe medical examination, standard of tests as to acquirements and efficiency, the timo and place of examination, Ac"., and examiners may be appointed by the .'Governor on the recommendation of the chief commissioner. No appointment of aiiv person already is the service of aiiv permanent office or position may !«• made except at the instance oi the ehiei commissioner or upon the wril'.en request of the peniiianciil head of a department to the .Minister U> bo transmitted by the. Minister to the chief commissioner ; and " no : such appointment shall in any ease ■;■«■ malic j except (upon a rertiiicale from the chief commissioner (hat such appointment, is required."