THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 158, 13 July 1935, Page 3

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

NEW COMMISSIONER THREE IN THE RUNNING One of the main topics of discussion these days among the multitude of Civil servants in Wellington is the prospective appointement of a new Public Service Commissioner in succession to Mr. P. D. Verschaffelt, who, while in London as a technical adviser to'the Minister of Finance, the Rt Hon. J. G. Coates, in connection with the meat problem, tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the New Zealand Government, states the “Dominion.” The vacant position is a coveted one. Even under the present economic conditions it carries a salary of £1240 a year. There is much conjuncture as to the possible successor within the service, it being taken for granted that the Government will not select an ’ outsider” for the post. Three names are being discussed freely as in the running, like the selection of a racecourse expert when suggesting probable winners under the win-and-place system of totalisator investments. They are Mr B. L. Ballard, Under-Secretary for Justice and Controller of Prisons; Mr G. McNamara, Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department; and Mr T. Mark, Secretary of the Public Service Commissioner’s Office. Those who are familiar with the normal way of promotion in the Public Service explain that, in the past, the position now Reid by Mr Mark was looked upon as a stepping-stone to the leading position. It was so in the case of Mr Verschaffelt when he was appointed. Meanwhile, it may be said that the present secretary is not speculatively placed in the position of “favourite” in the departmental race.