POWERS OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER

Chronicle (Levin), 1 August 1946, Page 5

POWERS OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER

— Press Association

RUMOURS OF CURTAILMENT

By Telegraph

WELLINGTON, July 31. In tlie House of Representatives today, Hon. P. Fraser replied to Mr. G. H. Mackley (Masterton) who had asked whether the Government pToposed to aet on a remit from the recent Federation of Labour conference, asking the ! Government to investigate the appoint- j ment and power of control of tlie j Publie Service Commissioner and, if so, j in what respect the Government pro-j posed to eurtail the powers of 0the ' Commissioner. | Mr. Fraser said no representations | on the question of the Public Service! Commissionership had been received from the Federation of Labour. Mr. Mackley said the reply was evasive and unsatisfactory but seemed to indicate that the Government was| going to interfere with the powers of the Public Service Commissioner. Mr. Fraser said he had not the slightest idea that such a remit had beeni before Ihe Federation of Labour and] if representations had been made he would have known about them. As hej didn't lcno.w about the remit and as it was not sent on to him, what else: could lie have replied? Mr. Mackley: fou could say it ist not the intention of the Government to interfere with the Public Service Coin-i missioner. Air. Fraser went on to say that the' committee of the Public Service Asso-! ciation was discussing tlie matter andj would be nraking suggestions and added] that it miglit be of considerable advantage to lmve three Public Service Commissioners. There had never beenl greater confidence in the working of] the Public Service system than there' was at present. There were certain ; administrative difiiculties eoncerningj appointments which should be made by the Government and others which were made by the Public Service Commissioner. Mr. Mackley said it was the interference with appointments and promotions that the Opposition objected to. Ansvvering furtlier questions by Mr. Mackley and Mr. Polson, Mr, Fraser said the committee to which he'referred was consideriug the matter of the Conimissioner system with him and it was hoped to arrive at a solution which would give mutual confidence and satisfaetion. He felt sure that wlialeverj the outcome, whether with oue, two or] three Commissioners, the Commissioner | system remained the best way of ad-j ministering the Public Service. Mr. Fraser said the riglit of appeal, must in auy event be retained. He de- ! clared the wisli was father to the thought when Mr. Mackley alleged lis-j satisfaetion among public servants inj regard to Public Service adniinistra-j tioil. " f 11111 1 11 f'lnsor IrmrJi witli timi

Public Service Association than the ' Honourable Meniber and I know their! mind on the matter," said Alr. Fraser. Mr. W. J. Polson said a coach and liorse liad been drivert through tlie Public Service appointment system in recent years and this had caused discontent. Appointments had been made which revealed political patronage not only of defeated Parliamentary candidates but also of individuals who had rendered lesser serviees to the party in power. The appointment of unqualiiled persous to Public Service positions without regard to the pvqmotiqii rights of perhiauejit ' hj yil sefvants/ "Jiad been a sourcje «o'f iimtatro'ri and vt.his^ftspect of tiie (proljlem rejhained unanSAvered. •Ti was bbvinus-' tha-f the' Public Service " was deeply uneasy and, sensing that chatiges' wpre. iu the air, 'was seekiug to protect its rights.