The Dominion. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1913. UNDER THE NEW REGIME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1846, 4 September 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1913. UNDER THE NEW REGIME.

The first report of the Civil Service Commissioner, which has just been presented to Parliament, deserves to be darefully studied by every member of Parliament and by • tho public generally. It is, as we 'stated yesterday, an exceedingly valuable document, and a more careful examination enhances the high opinion of its merits which was derived from the first glance through it. Thero is a freshness about it which lifts it out of the traditional groove of such papers, and its busi-ness-like directness at once conveys the impression that it is the work of a man who can speak with all tho weight and practical experience of an expert. From start to finish one feels that the statements mado are based o.n sound knowledge, and that tho writer has 110 hesitation in saying what he really thinks, without fear or favour. At the outset, Mr. Robertson points out that the Public Service Act requires him to furnish a report on the efficiency and condition of tho Public Scrvice, and its proceedings, and to indicate any changes he may consider necessary for its improved working. This is exactly what he'has done. Rigidly excluding all considerations of a personal or party character, ho. deals with those Departments which come under the control, of the Commissioners from the point of view of business efficiency, and judged by this standard, he declares that "although there are several Departments, the organisation and working of which are of tho highest order, it may be, said,. broadly, that the Service generally was not found to be in so efficient a state as it should have been." Tho _ studied moderation of language which characterises tho report throughout gives additional weight to such statements as this. But the Commissioner is not content with mere assertion, for" the t judgments arrived at aro supported by an array of facts and figures that the most ardent supporters of the old regime will find it extremely difficulty to controvert. After careful consideration of these facts and figures one feels assured that the remark that there is "abundant evidejico to show that greater efficiency can be secured in many Departments at a roduced cost of working" is a fullyrconsidered opinion, and not merely a rhetorical flourish.

The report gives some striking examples to illustrate how expense has been increased and efficiency diminished by lack of proper co-operation and co-ordination of Departments, a weakness which was also emphasised in the very useful report drawn up by the Hunt Commission of 1912. An excellent illustration is provided : by the story of tho Advertising Office, which from small beginnings developed into a Department all by itself, involving an expenditure in salaries of £1199 a year, and which has been reduced at a stroke to £765 by transferring the work to the main Department. It is by common-sense and business-like-methods such as this that the Commissioners are securing greater economy without any sacnfico of efficiency, and not bv k policy of I overworking and underpaying Civil Servants. They aro evidently determined to improve tho conditions of work and to remove anomalies; but they look for, and have, a right to expect, good service in return. To tolerato slackness, and to be content with a low standard is an injustice to capable and trustworthy men in the Departments, and most irritating to the general public. Referring to this matter, the report states that "it is to bo feared that there has been too much consideration, tiven in the past to undeserving ofcers," and adds: "A frequent condonation of bad conduct has a demoralising cffect on the offending officer, and leads to discontent on the part of his deserving colleagues." This is one of the evils that always tends to grow up when political considerations are allowed to influence the working of State Departments, and to make this sort of thing impossible in the future is one of the main reasons which actuated Mr! Herdman in asking Parliament to pass the Public Service Act. It is quite impossible within the space at our disposal to do more than touch upon a fcw_ outstanding features of the Commissioner's report. We must therefore be content with a bare reference to the remarkable fact that in a period of only seven months the Commissioners have seen their way to institute economics amounting to about £47,000 per annum, and this without loss of efficiency or doing injustice to anyone. Indeed, the Commissioner expressly states that it is not proposed to dispense with any officers who are capable of performing good work, and it b difficult to see how anyone who is competent to express an opinion on the subject can challenge Mr. Robertson's contention that tho Public Service Act is one of the most liberal of its in the world, particularly in giving officers a ri°-ht of appeal to a Board whose decision is final, and to,which they aro privileged to elect members. The new regime will give scone for the exercise of brains, and the officer who can suggest methods of §eciu\ii!B greater efficiency 'at Ipsa

cost is going to be encouraged. In this way, us tho report points out, the new system is creating a healthy rivalry between the oflicers throughout the Serviec. It also secures the benefits of co-operation between Departments and greater economy and efficiency; it widens the avenues of promotion; and gives an equal opportunity to aii to enter the Public Service, and to proceed- therein by merit and ability. The report itself is the best reply, and it is a most effective one, to the anti-Reform ciiticism which followed its presentation to Parliament on luesday afternoon.-