THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 484, 17 April 1909, Page 6

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

HON. J. A: MILLAR INTERYIEWia). Interviewed by a "Hawke's Bay Herald", reporter on ; matters concerning the public service, tho.Hon. Mr. Millar said:— "I have all along thought we had far too many Departments in the public service, and have openly 6tated in tlio House and elsewhere that the- expenses of administration were mounting too high.. Whilo the prosperity of. the country was increasing* it was easy to start a new Department, and 'it often seemed desirable to do so. At first it would be begun on a small scale, and the officials would be content with small salaries. But soon they would compare these with the salaries earned by .other officials, and it/was hard to refuse their 1 claims for equal treatment. Tho Departments increased until we had 37' of them, whilo Australia was able to carry on publio business with 16. Tho work of retrenchment had to be undertaken, and it was more than ever essential now that times are not so good. The classification of public servants added nearly £150,000 to the annual cost of administration. In my Department, many of these increases are fixed by statute, but I,. have set my face against any increase of expenditure, and have told .everyone that no further rises need be looked for. Ihaye also introduced a number of alterations in the working of thoi Department, which will lead to economy.; Trains havo been cut out, and at least one line, which was not paying, and never would pay, has been shut-down.

There .is not much hope for the East Coast Railway at present in that case? said the interviewer. . ■ ■■■• : .. .' . . '

"The East Coast Railway ; will, be' com-, pleted in time. It is essential that Napier should be- connected . wtih . Gisborne,, am so on to Auckland. Tho line is. necessary to complete the railway;system of the country. But .at present we have so much in hand that there is very little chance of new work being' undertaken. The line would be*? a very expensive one to construct. But the survey of tho line 'will '■'■be put in hand shortly, and will supply the neoessary in'formation on that point." ' , ' .. ■' We think,, said the " .interviewer, that the line should.havo preference of the North of Auckland lines which traverse country, already well served by water. '■' /'. .-.•■ "The. North of Auckland lines- will pay when completed, and they must bo brought to the paying point. It is good policy to proceed with them now> that they have got so far. But wo must study economy in the administration of tfho Department." , ' Was the result , of the Addington inquiry 'a surprise to you?" ■■■'■ -' ■ ■ "I was: as' much surprised as'anyone by Mr. Ronayne's withdrawal, ft is unfair to blame him, however. His memorandum was not intended for publication,' and should not have been made public. It was based On statements from: what ho believed to. be a /reliable/source., But when the commission sat Mr. Ronayne found that his informant

was not prepared to substantiate the charges contained in the memorandum,' arid : ho was compelled.to withdraw. The commission will not T>e futile, however. I have instructed it to visit the various_ Government' workshops and , private foundries, and ha'vo no doubt that good results will follow from the comparisons the commission will be able to make. The work at Addington is, of course, very good. The question is whether it , is turned out as.promptly as. it should be. ; ' Tho plant is quite adequate, and we have spent considerable suras of recent : years on new machinery, and, although in somo cases machines were not of .the newest "type, that should not make any appreciable difference to the output. ■•:'■'■■■..■