OFFICIAL DISCOURTESY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 5, Issue 609, 14 December 1883, Page 2

OFFICIAL DISCOURTESY.

From the head of an official department, an applicant usually meets with politeness; from an under-strapper, on the other hand, scant civility is generally to be looked for. The Under - Secretary, however, is an official so high in the service, and of such extended departmental experience, that it would be but reasonable to expect ordinary courtesy to be observed in the communications emanating from his office. Experience, we regret to say, proves the contrary. The member of the general public who addresses an inquiry to that quarter is fortunate indeed if he does not receive a snub, such as might be expected from a junior clerk of a few months’ service. Those who have occasion to correspond with the department find little satisfaction; as the replies frequently combine a tone of querulous irascibility with a minimum of information. The specimens which occasionally find their way into print sufficiently illustrate this characteristic ; and the latest instance is afforded in connexion with the new Adulteration Act. When our Government, in its wisdom, decided to legislate on the subject of adulteration, it appears to have followed the usual and exceedingly easy course in cases of the kind—just to adopt unaltered various clauses of the existing English law. Of course, much would be superfluous, or inapplicable to the colony; but as in previous instances, four or five amendment acta in as many different sessions ; a score or so of orders in Council; and a Consolidation Act in the future, would in time adapt it to local requirements. In the new Act, in the portion referring to bakers, an exception is made in regard to “ French bread.” This sufficiently establishes the fact that the provision was literally copied from outside legislation, as the particular term has no defined meaning in the trade in New Zealand. The bakers of Wellington, having applied to the department for information on the subject, were advised to make their enquiry in writing. A respectful communication was therefore addressed to the Government on the subject; and this was the reply received :—“ As the master bakers do not thoroughly understand the meaning of ‘ French bread,’ the question becomes one of law, and the Government does not give legal opinions.” Then follows the well-known signature which may be found appended to so many similar letters. We are not aware whether this very uncivil service officer is a sufferer from chronic dyspepsia ; but even if there be this excuse, it does not much improve matters. It is quite time that the various Government departments realised that they exist for the sake of the public at large, and not, as some of them appear to suppose, that the whole machinery of state is organised for their special benefit. Those who address an official department on public business are entitled to respectful treatment, and to have all reasonable information afforded. Especially is this the case where the inquiries are necessitated through obscure or blundering legislative enactments. It may be very amusing to an official to evade reasonableinquirieß and administer at the same time a snub to the inquirer ; but the diversion may produce results not intended. It will serve one good purpose if it hastens the long-deferred boon of a sweeping Civil Service Reform.