H.—l4

Suggestions for Improvement. A number of suggestions for improved methods in departments were received, and clearly indicate that the officers of the Service are fully sensed with the desirability of improving methods of working. The suggestions made by all officers are always appreciated, and are given every consideration. Some suggestions put forward are not regarded as practicable, but the action prompting officers in these cases is worthy of commendation, and is regarded as an evidence of the zeal of the officer. As stated in previous reports, every encouragement is given by the Commissioner to suggestions likely to improve the organization or efficiency of the Service, and it is the practice to make a special reward to any officer bringing forward a suggestion of merit. The following cases were recognized by the granting of monetary consideration : — H. R. Robinson, Accountant, Lands and Survey Department, North Auckland : System of receiving cash. G. H. Boag and J. 11. W. Bruce, casual compositors in Government Printing Office : Suggestions for preventing loosening of quoins in formes when 011 machines. R. H. Packwood, Resident Engineer, Public Works Department, Auckland: Movable trestle for use in bridge-construction. R. C. Barnett, W. E. Ewart, and W. Spence, Government Insurance Department : Suggestions for new publicity matter. 11. J. Hardie, E. Butt, and C. Weir, Tourist Department, Rotorua : Invention of turbine control gear. J. B. Watt, W. Menzies, and F. Munro, State Forest Service: Improved and new machines. Staff Uniformity Committee. Jll order to ensure that a uniform policy shoidd as far as practicable operate in the three main branches of the Government Service —namely, Kailways, Post and Telegraph, and those Departments under the control of the Public Service Commissioner—oll all matters of general application, insofar as staffing, salaries, &c., are concerned, Government arranged for the setting-up of a committee representative of those branches, consisting of the Staff member of the Railway Board, the Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department, and the Public Service Commissioner. The main questions which will come under the review of the committee are the following : — Uniform grading of various positions in the respective services ; Uniformity of procedure in regard to appeals, annual reports of officers, punishments and awards, probation reports, rates of payment for overtime, travelling-allowances, removal expenses, camp and field allowances ; Uniform salary scales ; Uniform leave conditions ; and so on. As a similar committee performed quite useful work during the war years and in the difficult reconstruction period which followed, I am pleased that this step lias been taken. Co-operation between the respective branches is essential, as nothing causes greater dissatisfaction amongst the staffs than lack of uniformity in matters of common interest. Board of Appeal. There were three sittings, of the Board of Appeal for the year ended 31st March, 1927. Eighty-seven appeals were dealt with. The result of the appeals was as follows : Allowed, 4 ; disallowed, 47 ; allowed by consent, 2 ; withdrawn, 11 ; did not lie, 23.

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