WITH THE COLOURS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 6

WITH THE COLOURS

PUBLIC SERVANTS' RECORD,

"The suggestion is made in different portions ot the Dominion from time to time that the Government- is not setting a good example to private individuals and employers by its disinclination to release ntand eligible public servants from their duties for service with the Expeditionary Forces," said the Prime Minister on Saturday. "But

what is the real position? A return of the actual enlistments of' members of the Public Service (exclusive of the employees of tlio Railway Department, who are not under the control of the Public Service Commissioners) up to March 31 last shows that 1668 Publio Servants aro now serving their King and country.- in. the Expeditionary Forces.' The total number of Public Servants under the control of the Public Service Commissioners is about .10,000, comprising men, women, and boys. .It will thus be seen that about-one-sixth of the total strength of the Public Scrvice has actually enlisted and gone on active service. In addition to the men who have been accepted, there is a considerable number who have offered to serve, but have been rejected as unable to comply with Defence requirements, but the actual number is not at- present available. "The record of the employees of the Railway Department is equally fine, particularly when it is remembered that the authorities found it necessary to' close down on further enlistments of railway servants - owing to the absolute need of retaining a certain proportion 1 of young, active men to keep the train services of the Department running'"safely." "'■Out ■ of' a -total strength of about 12,000 men, no fewer than 1700 have actually, been granted leave to enlist for service with the forces, or 'about one-seventh of the whole. The total enlistments, therefore, from the combined services number 3368.

"I think it will be admitted that the above figures of the actual enlistments constitute a-record of whicli the Public Service may well be proud, and speak volumes for the sense of duty and patriotism animating the eligible men in the employ of the State."