PUBLIC SERVICE APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2308, 16 November 1914, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE APPEALS

AN' OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

The following statement with reference, to the right of appeal under the ■Public Service Act, 1912, has been issued from the Prime Minister's' Office: ; An interpretation of . that part of the Public Service Act, 1912, which prorides, for appeals, ■ especially in the matter of promotion, has been recently adopted by the Public Service' Commissioner, and to, a certain extent by the Supreme Court. That interpretation has an effect widely different from what was intended by the Government when the Act was introduced and passed. Both the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General stated while the Act was before Parliament that a full right of appeal was granted in cases of promotion, as in other cases, and to that position the Government has always ad-

The Government proposes next session to insist that the Act must be so amended as that it .shall ,be clear beyond question that every public servant, whether or hot he has applied for appointment to a new or. a vacant office, and whether or not he has applied for' promotion, shall have full riglit of appeal in- the.case of all appointment to any office in Service. Jt is clear, from the Act as it now reads that the intention was that the discretion of the Commissioner should- bo exercised, always subject to review by the several Appeal Boards, _ anil that intention must be expressed in plain 1 terms ' in the amending Act.