REFORM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 7

REFORM FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Sir,—Some time back the Civil Servante petitioned that the various Departments.fbe' permitted to close on Saturdays at 12 o'clock, instead of-an hoUr.'later, as is customary in. the Service: The: petition' was, however, turned down, and nothing has ever been heard of it since. This ot course, has been a gr«it disappointment, for, seeing that all the big firms, solicitors, mstmmce companies, etc., etc., close at noon on Saturdays, it. was' thought ■ it would have caried some, weight. Being .yourself a sport, Mr. Editor, I am sure you will realise what a boon the granting of this extra hour would be, not only to the Civil Seryant3 themselves (who otc, of course, desirous of getting.off as. soon as possible' to' football, oricket, bowls, hockey, golf, or whatever it may be), but also to tne women in the homes, who are in many cases kept waiting till nearly 2 o'clock in the afternoon before those from fairly long distances aro able to sit down to lunch. I. am sure, should the present Prime Minister see h't to grant this concession, it would be hugely appreciated by the many Civil Servants of both sexes, and of all grades, and -all" Departments, from one end of the country to the other. —I am, etc., FAIBPLAT. Wellington, September 2/ 1912.