THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2210, 24 July 1914, Page 8

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED.

SOME FINAL RESOLUTIONS,

The conference -of delegates of the Public Service Association, which commenced on Monday evening, resumed its fourth, session yesterday. There was a fun attendance. A discussion oh the various questions presented resulted in the passing of various resolutions which are set out below. The election of officers and many other matters of administration were also completed. Tho conference delegates will meet at the Commissioner's office this morning, at 9.30, for the purpose of laying various matters before him, and later will wait on tho Primo Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey).

Officers Elected. The council grouped the branches for the purpose of electing representatives to the executive committee, the total membership of which it was desired to restrict as much- as possible. After alteration by many amendments, on the motion of Messrs. C. R. G. Robieson_ and Russell, it was decided, in addition to the executive officers, to appoint ten committeemen,! of whom the Wellington section would' elect five—one to be a lady—and the other sections ten—one. of whom to *be a lady. Miss A. M. Primer was unanimously elected amidst great acclamation to represent tho outside sections. It was decided to leave the nomination of the Wellington section lady to tho local ladies, who, it is understood, are already, arranging in the matter. The election of section representatives on the executive committee resulted as follows:— Auckland—Mr. C. R. C. Robieson.' South Auckland and Gisborne.—Mr. W. M. Wright. Wanganui, Taranaki, and Palmer-ston-North—Mr: T. W. Kirk. Hawke's Bay.—Mr. K. N. H. ,Browne. Marlborough and Nelson.—Mr. J. ,W. Macdonald (Government Life). West Coast.—Mr. W. W. Cook. ' V Canterbury .—Mr., G. Allport. Otago.r-Mr. J. Murray. Southland.—Mr. T. H. Sierwood. ■ The Wellington representatives will be selected. later.

, The re-election of Mr. J. W. Macdonald as president, on the motion of Messrs.. Twohill and Russell, was cartied unanimously amidst great, enthusiasm, every' delegate rising ,to speak in the most cordial terms of .their .appreciation of the- great work performed by their chief officer and his Mr. W. M. Wright was unanimously reflected , vicorpresident. . Mr. F. W. Millar, was., re-elected- secretary. Sir. 4. T. Wells ;as .unanimously re-elected hon. general treasurer. Mr. G. CorserSmitli , was reappointed auditor for the ensuing., year, and Mr. Michael Myers was appointed as legal adviser to the association. 1 ■ ...

The conference approved of the proposal that the chairmen of the Auckland, .Canterbury, and. Otago sections be. vice-presidents of tho. association, .

Various Resolutions. An animated , discussion took place on a proposal to recommit by leave the remit passed'in regard to. the retirement of officers, but leave was'refused, members, being of the opinion that the remit_ was fair amd reasonable, and opposition was shown by them to anything more drastic.

. The remit passed, in, .regard. to rates of travelling allowances., was-recommit-ted by leave. Mr. Robieson moved, and Mr. Ross (Southland) seconded, ail addition, to the remit as follows "That these increased allowances shall not apply to officers who are in ono place more than six days continuously." Members unanimously agreed with 'the desire! to put the matter in a more reasonable form, and tho remit as amended was carried. It. .was' decided to refer to the Commissioner on the lines laid down in the of _ the sub-committee"That the attention of the Commissioner bo drawn to, the fact that a,hardship lias been 'inflicted on somo of the employees' of special schools by reason of the alteration ill-the schedule 'of .salaries .published in this year's classification/list." It was decided that the Commissioner consider the positions of those officers in the Justice Department: who prior to . his . assuming control were receiving emoluments' of which they havo now been deprived. A .matter of retiring allowances ■ affecting officers of a certain Department was referred to tlie incoming executive committee for the necessary action. It was- resolved"That the association co-operate'with the other Australasian associations for the purpose of creating 'improved facilities ' for the exchange of ideas regarding conditions of the v.irious services, to endeavour to arrange for a system of temporary interchange of officers and to provide facilities for officers Von inter-State ; visits for recreation or Departmental purposes. On the proposal of Mossrs. Robieson and, Russell it was decided that the liext conference be held at Wellington. The session then terminated. After meeting the Commissioner and Prime Minister a further meeting will bo held to discuss l the result of the interviews. i ■