THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 924, 17 September 1910, Page 4

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

IS' IT EFFICIENTLY. RUN?

There was' an interesting discussion in tbp House of . Representative ■ last , night in regard to the Public Service. Mr. T.E. Taylor'(Christchurcli North) said that half a million a year could be saved if the business of the House was run 1 on business lines.' 1 Ho oon- ' sidered that if the Premieiv and meriibers, were the owners .of the/country, " instead : - of ■ representatives of.. 'the £ : ijieople, -there would be a: more efficient machine assured at less cost.;: The Estimates ' were hopelessly/ swollen, be- ' cause Parliament would not allow tho Executive to run , on/.strict bu&i-. nessilines. The whole of the criticism on - the . Estimates ; would not, in his • opinion, effect ono pennyworth of ccon- '' only in the'course of the year. 'Mr. Massey remarked that he would like to; see ,-the Public Service fully • manned by a capable staff; ■ drawing •' 'satisfactory salaries. Mr. Hordman (Wellington North) thought the/Public Senace, although - it'.:*; contained some very capable men, wad becoming the.dumping-ground l for a large number of inefficients. If, as. the- , member : for ; Christchurch North had : ' said, half a million per yeai: could be ■ saved, it was a public scandal. Mr. Hogg (Masierion) complained as ~ to the manner: in which rises of salary were'made. Every/ year .'highly-paid .'' officials ; got an- increment, - whilst 1 the - lower-paid officials got practically noticing, Ho would like to see -a reversal ■ of the mode of .giving increases. -. The -Prime Minister said that, <sscept. in times when/trade was bad,- tie growth of'the State Departments went :.■■ on apace. It, was'his; opinion that-the . - Public Service was a very good service. The statement 'that .inefficients : - were" - appointed did'■ not. hiive • much force. Everybody ' knew, that attempts were made by members'of Parliament to got State employment for' -unemployed; men with large families. ' He did not-say that- .there were• no: black sheep in: the Public Sendee. Unless the officials were sufficiently well paid, private em- f ployers would. draw away the best of •-. them. //''