H.—l4,

These observations are equally applicable in New Zealand. It is the duty of every public servant loyally to carry out the policy of Government, whatever his own personal views may be. It is the duty of every Permanent Head to direct his Department according to the policy of Government and in accordance with the statutes he is called upon to administer. No case has been brought under my notice where any officer has failed in his duty in this respect. If any such charges were made the Public Service Acts provide the necessary machinery for investigation and any necessary disciplinary action. Growth of the Public Service. The past few years have seen a very considerable growth in the personnel of the Public Service. A comparison is made herein with the position as it existed on Ist April, 1930 —i.e., just prior to the effects of the depression being reflected in the Service. The numbers of staff quoted indicate to what extent Government activities have increased since that year. For purposes of comparison the various Departments of State under Commissioner control have been grouped under the following headings : (a) Social services ; (b) development services; (c) trading services ; (d) administration, law and order, &c.

(a) Social Services.

The Broadcasting Department, previously under the control of a Board, was created a Department and placed under the control of the Commissioner on- the passing of the Broadcasting Act, 1936. Expansion in the Education Department has been caused (1) by the development of activities such as the Correspondence School and child-welfare work, and (2) by increase of stall: necessitated by the introduction of the forty-two-hoar week in the Department's institutions. The growth of the School Dental Service, together with the introduction of shorter working-hours at institutions, has necessitated the increase in the staff of the Health Department. The large increase in the Labour Department is due to the passing of industrial legislation during recent years which has involved many additions to the inspectorial staff. A special staff to deal with the unemployment problem was set up towards the close of 1930. The increase shown in the Mental Hospitals Department has been occasioned by (1) the increase in the number of patients under treatment ; (2) the extension of the villa system of treatment and other reforms resulting in better conditions for the patients—e.g., the provision of an evening shift to cover evening hours so that a larger proportion of the patients would be able to enjoy longer evenings ; and (3) the introduction of the forty-two-hour week to the nursing staff.

4

a i. i i. a -ii n.,n As at 1st April, 1939. As at 1st April, 1930. (Provisional.) Department. Permanent. Temporary.* Total. Permanent. Temporary.* Total. * Broadcasting .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 89 193 Education .. .. .. 297 75 372 313 169 482 Health .. . . .. 453 109 562 558 215 773 Labour .. 112 24 136 223 353 576 Mental Hospitals .. 945 24 969 1,381 57 1,438 National Provident . . . . 35 19 54 30 21 51 Social Security! .. .. 107 58 165 470 461 931 Totals .. .. .. 1,949 309 2,258 3,079 1,365 4,444 * Other than workmen. f Figures for 1930 are for Pensions Department only.