A RIFT IN THE LUTE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 15

A RIFT IN THE LUTE

CIVIL SERVICE WAR DISTRESS FUND. ONE DEPARTMENTAL HEAD OBJECTS TO SUBSCRIPTION LIST. "The action of the Executive Committee in asking the Heads of Departments Committee to cooperate with it in the collection of contributions to the War Distress Fund (says the "Public Service Journal") does not appear to meet with approval in some quarters. The reason for this may lie in the want of a proper understanding of the relations between the two bodies, therefore a short history of the movement may be instructive.

"The Executive Committee was not actuig inconsistently with its protest against the method of raising the patriotic fund. In that case the Permanent Heads took the initiative without consulting the Service or its organisation, and there was believed 1 to be the element of compulsion in the suggestion of the amount to be subscribed. Now the association is taking the initiative, and the subscription is purely voluntary. "It was the original intention of the executive to undertake the collection and appoint trustees to administer the fund, but then practical difficulties presented themselves, and it was recognised that the consent aud co-operation of each Departmental head was indispensable. The importance of the latter condition will be seen later on. \lt was therefore only an exercise of common sense to invite the united aid of the permanent heads, and to use the Departmental organisation for the collection of subscriptions. After careful consideration it was decided that greater success would be attained for a specific than for a general purpose, leaving it to the committee to change the purpose after due notice at any time it may be thought advisable to do so. There was some opposition to the proposals, but the great majority of a large meeting was in favour of them, and it was considered that a reasonable and satisfactory basis had' been determined.

"It is necessary to state that the main grounds of objection were that the relief of the distressed Belgians is a national responsibility, and also that any fund raised should be devoted to tile relief of distress caused by the war to persons in Neiv Zealand. The objectors were listened to with attention, and their opinions were given ail the weight to which they were entitled, but tiie vote of tho majority vas in favour of tho action already described. . . . It comes as a surprise to find that one Permanent Head of a large Department has absolutely forbidden the circulation of subscription lists for the fund among tho members of his staff.

"In taking this course the Public Trustee is no doubt acting conscientiously, and is no doubt within his rights, uuder the Public Service tegulations, unless the Public Service Commissioner will authorise the circulation of lists without reference to heads of Departments. But wo are pleased to bo able to say that the officer in question is singular in the attitude he has taken up, and that all other Permanent Heads are assisting to make the fund a success. Moreover, we believe that the staff of the Public Trust Oflice will find some other channel through which they may forward their suscriptions. "Complaint has been made from some of the small centros of population that Public Servants are expected to contribute to relief funds raised locally, that any subscription to the Public Service Fund will be lost sight of in tho mass, and that their popularity is likely to suffer. In such circumstances, we believe it will be judicious for them to support the local funds, relying 011 tho goon sense of their fellow officers to explain the absence of their names from the Service lists. However, it. is hoped thai as far as possible members will support the Service fund."