CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1837, 25 August 1913, Page 6

CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION

As was to be expected, the proposed classification of the Civil Service drawn up by the Public Service Commissioners has proved disappointing to a number of members of tho Service. No one, however able and fairminded, could hope to satisfy everyone in carrying out a task of the kind, unless, indeed, money was no object, and the only desire was to please regardless of cost. With some 5000 public servants to deal with, and practically the whole of the number hoping for some direct benefits under the new scheme, it was inevitable that a great many would be disappointed. The Public Service Commissioners have had to frame their Classification List so far as salaries are concerned in accordance with the funds likely to be placed at their disposal by Parliament; and in this respect it would seem that they have not been illiberal. Me. J. A. Millar, in the House of Representatives on Friday last, made inquiry as to the probablo cost •of the' new classification, and while tho Minister for Justice could not speak definitely as to the amount, ho stated that 1 it would probably mean an increase of salaries amounting to £10,000 or £12,000. This, he- pointed out, would be in addition to tho ordinary increases which take place each year in the natural course of events. It would thus.seem that at tho outset the classification now brought down is going to increase the salaries of public servants to the extent stated. This does not necessarily mean either waste or extravagance, assuming, as would seem to be the case, there is increased efficiency to,warrant it. It is hoped that under - Commissioner control the organisation and working of tho Public Service will be carried out on more systematic lines, and with a sounder and fairer apportionment of the duties of officers than was the case under political control; and that tho result will be a higher state of efficiency which will enable the annual increase in the cost of working. duo to waste and overstaffing, tobe kept down.- It is not proposed, we believe, to cut down the present staff, but with better methods and the increased efficiency of tho various Departments, it should not bo necessary to add materially to the strength of the staff in order to cope with the growth of work which may be expected to oontinue with the development of the country. Tho objections raised to the proposed classification drawn up by the Commissioners are said to relate not only to individual cases, but to the principle followed in certain instances in assessing the status and value of particular classes of work. Under the Public Service Act of last session, provision was made to ensure that injustice should not be done either- in the grading of public servants or in respect to salary or promotion. Election 31 of the Act reads as follows:—

Any officer dissatisfied with any decision of the Commissioner, or of any person or persons to whom the Commissioner has delegated his powers or functions in regard to grade affecting such officer, or in regard to tho classification of the work performed by him or assigned to him, or in regard to salary or promotion, may forward to tho Commissioner within ■30 days after such decision has been notified to him a notice of appeal setting forth the grounds of his dissatisfaction ; and a Board of Appeal constituted in the manner hereinafter #;t forth shall {hereupon consider such appeal and the grounds thereof, and any further evidence in relation thereto which the Board may deem necessary for. tho proper determination of the appeal; and may allow or disallow the appeal; and the decision of the Board of Appeal thereon shall be final.

Tho Board of Appeal referred to is to oonsist of three persons: two appointed by the Governor-in-Council, one of whom must be an officer of the Public Service, aijd one elected by the members of tho Scrvice. The Classification List drawn up by the Public Service Commissioners is subject to revision by tKis Board on appeal from any member of the Service. It is probable that in dealing with so large a body of officers the claims of some to more favourable consideration have been overlooked by the Commissioners, but with the opportunities for appeal afforded under tho Act, the Classification List, when it finally emerges from tho hands of the Board of Appeal, should on the whole assist k> place the Service on a more satisfactory footing than it has yet been.