CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1294, 24 November 1911, Page 5

CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE ELECTIONS.

Sir,—Through your columns I would like to draw tho attention of the present and prospective members of Parliament to a contemplated iujustico to what is known as tho casual workers in tho Electoral, Census, and other Departments. It is intended to stop a full day's pay from each man who is engaged nu the elections, although tho day is a Government half-holiday from' 12 noon. The returning officers for the different electorates a'ro only too pleased to get these men for that day, 011 account of previous experience and reliability, in preference to men I outside) who may or may not bo capable, of doing the work. Then why should tlieso men get 325. and 155.. as against what the. Department would have to pay should they fill tho places with outsido men whom they cannot trust. Are tho heads of tho difl'e'ront Departments saving 10s. per man for this day so as to lighten their working expenses account, or is it a recommendation from tho Prime Minister, so as to lighten the cost of the election? Permanent hands who are so engaged on that date I understand have nothing deducted—then why should tho poor casuals be penalised?—l am, etc., C.S.