CHANGE IN PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

Chronicle (Levin), 3 August 1946, Page 5

CHANGE IN PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

-Press Association

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Aug. L Wlicn the I'resiilent of tlie Fublic Serviee Association, A1 1". J. 1'. Lewiu, wa> askeij to coiuinciit toilay 011 Ihe statement msule by tlie i'rinie Miuister, 11 011. J\ Fraser, in tlie Uotise yestenlay, on Ihe po.xsible chaiige in admini.stra- . tion of the i'nblic Nervico, he saiil it wa* tnie that disciissions had already taken place 011 the snbject between tne I'linie Minister and executive oflieers of the Association, alorig Jines laid doun by the executive conimittcc. The subject. had, in the tirst place, been raised bv the Association in view of the giovvth and increascd eomplexity of the servicc. The executive oflieers had i'ound the Prinie Minister 's nttitude helpful. Mr. Fraser had expressed Jmnself as being l'tilly in aceord with control of tlie serviee by an independeni. anthority, together with power of review of appoiutments by a Board of Appeal. Any alterations cont emplated will be. firmly based 011 these prineiples and the necessity for giving tlie publie the most eflicient possible serviee in Government administration. So far as the Association was concerned, the policy would have to be deterniined by the annual conferenee of the Executive Gouncil which would coinmence on Aug- t ust 28, when elected delegates i'rom all over New Zealand would ineet in Wellington. Conversations now proceeding ' were designed to clear the way for con- '■ ferem-e disciissions 011 Ihe subject. j