RUAKURA STATE FARM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2432, 10 April 1915, Page 8

RUAKURA STATE FARM

LATE MANAGER'S ATTACK ON PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONERS

MR. HERDMAN'S REJOINDER

"A MAN WITH A CRIEVANCE."

Speaking at a picnic held in his hon-' our ait the Ruakura State Farm recently, Mr. Primrose M'Connell, who has resigned his position as manager to take over the management of the Dilworth Estate, indulged in some criticism of the Public Service Commissioners. He asserted, amongst other' things,, thait "an experimental farm manager was not supposed to engage a temporary employee, and could not increase a farm hand'# wages, even by one penny a day, without first consulting the Commissioners/ 1 and' asked "was he to be 'the tool and plaything of hide-bound fossils, who were rapidly making the farm division of 1K« Department a. laughing-stock?" His whole object in bringing this to light, he declared, was that it might, benefit his successor and other officers of the Department of Agriculture—Extract from report by the Auckland "Star." MR. HERDMAN'S REPLY. EXTRAVAGANT AND INACCURATE STATEMENTS. When asked hy a reporter whether his attention 'had been called to Mr. M'Connell's speech, Mr. Herdman said; _ "When I was in Auckland my attention was called to the violent attack made upon the Public Service Commissioner by Mr. M'Connell in a speech delivered by him at Ruakura, but before saying anything about the matter I decided to wait until I could get at the facts in Wellington. I' find now that some of Mr. M'Connell's statements are so extravagant and inaccurate that they are of value only as' showing how little reliance cau be placed on his reflections. For example, Mr. M'Connell speaking contemptuously about regulations issued by the Commissioner, said: " 'His audience would scarcely credit it when he told them that an experimental farm manager was not supposed to engage a temporary employee . . . , without first consulting the Commissioners.' "This statement is a mis-statement, and here is the fact: Regulation 150 actually 'provides that temporary workmen or employees required in the following Departments or works shall be engaged and disoharged by the officer mentioned, viz on farms, by each manager or overseer. Mr. M'Connell has either never read the regulations, or, if he has read them, he has not understood them; otherwise he would not have blundered so gravely. Regulation 150 was expressly made so that officers such as Mr. M'Connell should have a free, hand in such matters. "Nest Mr., M'Connell says that fam managers are not allowed to increase wages without authority. -Mr. M'Connell is no doubt referring to the case of his brother-in-law, Mr. G. Douthwaite. When this gentleman was aot> ing as temporary foreman at the farm he was recommended hy Mr. M'Connell for an increase of wages from 7s. 6d. to 10s. per diem with board and lodging. The permanent head of the Department, Mr. Pope, approved of the proposed increase, but as the employment cf temporary hands is contrary to the spirit of the Public Service Act' he suggested to the Public Service Commissioner that Mr. Douth-' waite should become a permanent Public Servant. The suggestion was ap-' proved, but Mr. Douthwaito apparently did not want to become a member of tho permanent staff. 'Meantime. Mr. M'Connell, on his own initiative, advertised for applications for the foreman's position at the major salary of 10s. a day, and .after: considering the applications received appointed Mr. Douthwaitc. Apparently he rejected all others and appointed his brothor-in-law.

Five Relatives on the Pay Sheet. "■Hie Public Service Commissioner at first declined to approve of tlie increase of pay, but ultimately agreed upon the understanding that Douthwaite should be transferred to another position at the first convenient opportunity. The Public Service Commissioner, upon the principle that the employment of too many relatives together is undesirable, took exception to the number of Mr. M'Connell's relatives who were employed on the State farm, and Mr. M'Connell was told that tho number employed must be reduced. At one time Mr. M'Connell and five relatives, a total of six altogether, were drawing wages and salaries from the State as employees on the Ruakura State Farm. To this the Commissioner' took exception' and arranged for the transfer of Mr.. D. M'Connell. a son, to the Tauranga Experimental Farm. No reflection of any kind, is made owas made upon the ability of these employees. The principle of. the segregation of relatives was merely being insisted upon. A Man With a Crlevanoe. "Mr. no doubt believes that he has a grievance inasmuch as he was not granted the salary he desired. His salary was fixed at £260 per annum, rising to £300 by annual increments with board and lodging for himself and wife, which was considered worth £101 per annum. To this Mr. M'Connell took exception, and he appealed against his classification. The Appeal Board, an independent body, heard hitn and would no doubt give him permission to bring forward all the evidence available. His appeal was dismissed. "Perhaps I should mention'that Mr. M'Conuoll received, in addition to his! salary, £25 per annum from the Justice Department. for. services which he rendered. This arrangement duly received the approval of tho Commissioner. The Department of Agriculture. "Finally Mr. M'Connell appears to have attempted to create the impression that the Public Service 'Commissioners are managing the Department of Agriculture. So that there may be no misapprehension on that point. I .may state that tile Commissioners, whilst they are closely concerned with the staffing of all Government Departments, do not_ interfere in any 'way with the administration of the Agricultural Department or its farms. This business is the exclusive concern of the Minister and the permanent head. Good Work Acknowledged. "I should like to add this one word. I _ believe that Mr. M'Connell proved himself to bo an excellent officer when in the Service, and I am led to understand that the condition of the Ruakura Farm reflected great credit upon his management. I know that the advice he tendered to the Justice Department in connection with the management of the Waikeria Prison property has proved of great help. Nevertheless he appears to bo a man with a grievance, and such people are better out of the Service. The circumstances <of this case exemplify tho usefulness of the Public Service Commissioner."