H.—l4.

19 r J7. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER (FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General, Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

To His Excellency General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, General on the Retired List in the Reserve of Officers of His Majesty's Army, Doctor of Laws, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,—As Commissioner appointed under the Public Service Act, 1912, I have the honour to submit the following report, as required by section 15 of the Act.

EE POliT. Since the inception of the Public Service Act the standard of efficiency in administration and organization has been consistently improved. The officers of the Service have continued to» render faithful and adequate service, and have also fully maintained the confidence of the public. The causes which have contributed largely to this improvement since the introduction of the Public Service Act are the method of recruitment of the Service and the recognition of merit and efficient service in the promotion of officers. These matters are of primary importance, and are apt to be easily overlooked, both by the general public and by officers of the Service. It will, however, be generally conceded that the efficient and economical administration of the various Public Services must largely depend upon the proper selection of those officers undertaking the higher positions in the several Departments. Great care has been exercised to ensure that the administration and management of Departments have been faithfully carried out, with due regard to economy and efficiency, and no opportunity has been overlooked for suggesting the introduction of better methods and reducing expenditure without impairing efficiency.

I—II. 14.