N.Z. CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 8

N.Z. CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

DELEGATES CONFER,

REPORT OP THE EXECUTIVE.

The Conference of tho Civil Service ' Association was opened last evening, '■ the president (Mr. G. Allport) being in the chair. The following were also pro- ' sent Messrs. Otilds, MOOll, Russell (Canterbury), Pope (Auckland), Dixon (Gisborne), Roberts, Murray (Otago), Feifer (Hawko's Bay), Findlay (Southland), Holmes ; Maedonald, Fisher, Barr, Wallace, Robieson, Penney, Hall, Roberts, .Millar, Wright, Sherwood (Wellington), and Avery (general secretary). The executive presented the following report:— , . "It is now over +.hrce years since the Executive Council last met in conference, the date. of which was May 31, 1910. Since then your executive committee has dealt with numerous matters ; of interest to the service. In August, ; 1910, a deputation from the executive , committee waited upon the Prime Minister concerning various These concerned the questions of classification" and an independent Appeal 1 Board, house and' other allowances to be treated as salary in irolatiou to the superannuation fund, adjustment of tho anomaly requiring cadets to pass the senior examination to receive over £200 while temporary hands (made permanent) wero exempt, the closing of offices at noon on Saturdays, and tho granting of lea money to officers working overtime. The Prime Minister favoured the last representation, which was subsequently granted, but Itlie other matters were not bo favourably received. The question of closing at noon 011 Saturdays; was taken up ag"ain in August, 1911, without success, but the concession has sineo been granted by the present Government and has been continued by the Commissioner. In October, 1911, a classification schedule was laid before Parliament by the Classification Board. Copies were submitted to all branches for report, and vour exeoutivo committee set up a; sub-committee to go .thoroughly into tine matter. As a result, a mimbe.r of important representations wero made to the Government of tho day, b'ut ( as you aTO aware, tho proposed classification schedule was subsequently abandoned. "Representatives of the executive committee gave. evidence before the Civil Service Commission. The matter of classification was the chief subject dealt with. _ ... ■ "On the. appearance of the iuolio Service Bill last session, copies wero sent to branches for report, and tho executive committee upon _the Minister iini ciharge of the Bill (the Hon. Mr. HcTdmau) to place before him numerous representations on tho provisions of the Bill. The Minister received the deputation well, and adopted most of the recommendations made. _ "Since the change of control in, tho Service, the Public Servico Commissioner has shown his sympathy with the objects of the association by granting: it official recognition, and by authorising special learo of absence to delegates attending this conference. • • "Among tho other matters dealt with and submitted) to the Government since last conforenoo were the following "SusKsestions 0.9 to amendment or tne Senior = Civil Service regulations 011 a Departmental basis *. more liberal Treatment in,tho matter of salary to officers granted extended leave of absence; removal of an anomaly as to the extra increment granted to cadets passing tho Senior Civil Servico examination; miprovemcnt of the provision for annual leave of absence to .prisons officials, and the granting of casual holidays to tho mcc lanical staffs of the senrice. "In conucction with tho Superannuation Board, election, in 1911, the Executive Committee recornmended the return of Messrs. Allport, Bishop, and Spenco, tho association's nominees. An endeavour was made to secure publication of rulings on and interpretations of the provisions of the Superannuation Act. "In tho Appeal Board election,, the Exeoutivo Committee felt that it was justified in recommending only 0110 candidate, the respective merits of the others not being, sufficiently known to warrant recommendation of a second' rejyasentative. , ' "In connection with tho Appeal Board, your executive was of opinion that certain regulations concerning the dealing with appeals wero ultra vires, knd as the matter was of great importance it was docided~to take the opinion, of Mr. Skorrctt, K.C., .wlw advised that tho view of the committee was correct. The matter was referred to the Commissioner, who consulted tho Crown. Litw Office, and it is now understood that some of tho regulations will bo withdrawn. "Since tho change in control of tho Servico, tho value of tho association has become apparent to officers, and, as a consequence, a keener interest and a largo increase in membership has taken place. For some time previously there had been in some districts a serious decline in tho interest shown, but there is now no question as to tho vitality of tho association, tho more or less moribund branches having taken on a new lease of life. "In addition to tho remits from branches, the important subject of the Public Servico Commissioners' classification of tho Service will havo to bo considered by tho conference. Tho Commissioner has asked your executive for an expression of opinion on the question of civic rights to public servants. . , "Among the matters, concerning the domestic affairs of the' association that require your attention will bo revision of tho rules and tho question of establishing an official' journal. The decisiou to permit the publication of _ Appeal Board evidence in Service journals makes it imperative that the association should possess such a medium. It will ho necessary to increase the amount of subscription payable by members to •the association. There call be 110 question as to the value of an official organ to tho association, hut a publication worthy of' tho Service will cost more than the present rate of subscription can provide. Your executive committee has had experience in the past which demonstrates this ]»int. In this connection your executive recommends the council to consider tho ad- \ isabilitv of appointing a secretary, who would devote his full time to the duties of organising tho association and editing tEe journal. . "11l conclusion the executive desires to express its appreciation of the valuable services which havo been rendered bv the general secretary (Mr. .Avery)., who has given a great deal of time and unsparing attention to tho affairs «,t tho association during his term of office. Your oxecati.-o regrets that Mr. Averv's other duties render liun unable to continue to fill the position. "The executive committee congratulates the association on its present healthv membership, and wishes the council a successful conference, leading to the solid progress of the associa°It was resolved that tho conference should sit from 0.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and AVednesday, _ and from 7.15 , p.m. on Wednesday evening. The report and balance-sheet wero adopted on tho motion of the president. In mov- , iuir their adoptioji, Mi'. Allport referred to the good work dono by the Executive Committee during the three years , s j IICO the previous conference. He nli iuded to the Public Service Commission- , er's classification, which was more libi eral than that of the old Classification i Board. He expressed gratification at ' the provision of an Appeal Board for i the Service. Tie regarded the cstablish- ■ mont of a Service journal as essential ■ to the, succe.s? »f the association, mid advwiV/ tho appointment of a general

secretary, who could givo his whole time to organisation. Air. Holmes also stressed the necessity lor a Service journal. Mr. Marryatt, a member of the outgoing executive committee, paid a tribute to tho work done for the Service by the president. .Mr. Robieson also gave testimony to the valuable work done by both the executive committee and tho president. On tho motion of Mr. Pope, seconded by Mr. Murray, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing executive. The conference adjourned shortly after 9 p.m. _ _ ' Consideration of remits from the various brandies will be the business for today. These cover a very wide range of Service and association matters'of importance to tho Service.