H.—l4

13

expansion for the Post and Telegraph Department, and is accounted for by the large volume of work which has resulted from the war, much of which is outside the scope of its ordinary business. 72. In considering the expansion of the Service it has to be taken into account that on the 31st March last the salaries of officers absent with the Expeditionary Forces were £309,000. Owing to the fact that many of these officers have not been replaced, and that women and cadets are being utilized as largely as possible, a saving of approximately £106,000 is shown. This, however, may not> be possible to maintain, as the average cost of temporary assistance is rising rapidly. 73. Representations have been made to Government by officers' associations that the military pay of Government officers should be made up to their civil pay. This, it is estimated, would cost approximately £99,000 per annum for the Public Service. The estimate, however, does not include public-school teachers or Railway officers. Movement of Staff. Departments other than Post and Telegraph. 74. The classified staff on the following dates was— ~ , Amount. Number. ? Ist April, 1913 ... ... ... 4,641 874,437 1914 ... ... ... 5,095 953,343 1915 ... :.. ... 5,613 1,098,960 1916 ... ... ... 5,985 1,158,949 1917 ... ... ... 6,217 1,208,979 Of the increase of £334,542 since the Ist April, 1913, £96,856 is accounted for by temporary officers made permanent (£76,275) and the nationalization of School Inspectors (£20,581). In the figures quoted there is not taken into account overlapping increases under classification which fall due at other dates during the financial year. These will, in effect, reduce the amount actually required. 75. The classification increases provided on the Ist April, 1917, amount to £45,621, as against £46,174 in the preceding year. 76. The Departments principally responsible for the creation of new positions are: Public Trust, £6,247; Agriculture, £2,991; Lands and Survey, £1,215; Justice and Prisons, £4,467; Internal Affairs, £6,305; Defence, £1,047; Customs, £1,090; Education, £3,226; Mental Hospitals, £2,415; Public Health, £1,155. 77. The average salaries at the following dates were — £ Ist April, 1913 ... ... ... ... ... 188 1914 ... ... ... ... ... 187 1915 ... ... ... ... ... 195* 1916 ... ... ... ... ... 194 1917 ... ... ... ... ... 194 78. The Native-school teachers are not included in the foregoing. They were, on— Number. Am°unt- . Ist April, 1914 ... ... ... 241 26,861 ~ 1915 (including nine vacancies) 256 34,875f 1916 ... ... ... 256 36,618 1917 ... ... ... 247 35,723

* Converted emoluments account for £4 18s. of this increase. f Includes £2,940, value of converted emoluments.