THE CIVIL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 654, 3 November 1909, Page 8

THE CIVIL SERVICE

.Sir;—At this time, when the Civil Service is so much before the public may I be permitted'j a small spa* in your valuable columns to make a.plea for the .Civil Servant? ■ It is customary at Christmas time to' close all Government offices from.the evening of December' 24!' until the morning of- the 28th, and again for two days at New Tear; the intervening days the offices , are open, as nsual.. -It .seems to. me that with very little or no inconvenience to the public, and certainly-with no deterioration tb the work,of I the various Departments, all Government offices (inth a few -exceptions)- might well be closed for: the odd days between'. Christmas ,and New Year, and .so allow a ; large.army-.of workers the opportunity of visiting relatives and friends at this festive .season, besides; giving an opportunity for relaxation' rrom the daily humdrum of office work, and better fitting the Civil Servant.to renew his labours with fresh vigour in the .New Year. ; At present it is an unwritten rule that, all who can possibly be spaTedaTe granted leave of absence on these odd days; but.it would be much more satisfactory if the Civil Servant could, look; forward to this respite-annually, and to-facilitate (if necessary) such a concession,. I think the ser T vice as a whole would willingly.,-'forego, sbmo of the odd days which are now treated as holidays. Trusting some of our ppHticiahs now assembled will take this,matter'up aad;urge the adoption of-.this.suggestion.—l am, etc., ■ ■/.- .:: . : john;bboto. , ■Wellington, October 31, 1909;'. - p. :. - -'.