THE CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2802, 21 June 1916, Page 7

THE CONFERENCE

The conference oponed at 10 a.m. with an attendance of the following delogatos: G. Allport (president), W. U. Wright, Miller, Eobieson, Jordan, Sherwood, ■ Mackay, Dallard, Chapman, Burgess, (Wellington), T. P. Gilfedder (Auckland), W. Hislop (Hawke's Bay), C; H.Lawn (Taranaki), C. H. Clinkard . (Wanganui), J. K.. Ross (Palmorston North), E.E. : Townshcnd (Marlborough). A. H. Hounsell (Nelson),; L. Brewer (Westland), J). Morrison and P. Pi. Webb (Canterbury), J- Miller (Otago), P. if. West (Southland), and P. W. Millar (hon. general secretary). .'.; The; president extended a-welcome to those present. He said that since last they met a good many things of importance ■'. to the Service had , occurred, and the executive had endeavoured to keep members posted on them by means of the Journal. The Service had been face to face with: various difficulties, but, on the whole, had got through theiff'fairiy well. If certain reforms, as suggested-in the various remits, could bo socured ' they would conduce to the Welfare of the Eervico and to. tho Service feeling'that it.'was. being fairly,and proporly dealt with. Thus they would get/a contented Service, and if the Service was not con- , tented, it was not likely to be carried on in themannor it should. /The Public Service.-.was,- he, added, in a position to help in the good and proper administration of the. country. . The. Government and -the various authorities with whom tho .- Service was concerned had, always been found ready to listen to any representations'' made. In the past- tney oer.tainly/had not got all they had asked for, and perhaps they had not got all they should' have got, but they had always been met with consideration of their requests.. If that .thoughtful consideration would always bo given the Service would bo satisfied.

;..,.,-Remits Considered. ■ :,'A remit, urging that the constitution of the Appeal Board be so altered as to allow, ot. a ' stipendiary magistrate-of brpadi sympathies and wide knowledge of officials being chairman -was defeated. -A Temit that- appellants be given, a statutory/right.to be heard in person' or -by solicitor, or agent was carried. ■ , / Other! remits considered, and carried were as- follow \-r . '\ - That the procedure:'of the..'!' Appeal , Board. be'- amended-' in' the; direction :of giving reasons for a,;decisiqn';' th» taking of evidence on oath; the framing by! the board-of :the_ time and place of its meet-: -ings; supplying appellant with tho Commissioner s reply/to appeals at least ten days before the hearing; that'any officer be supplied with a copy of the evidence or judgment! in any appeal on payment for, the'.typewriting thereof... .•':,':■ ■ i That the Appeal Board; be. authorised by.law..to adjudicate upon.questions relating, to rate-of allowances,: seniority, length/of; service for purposes of seniority, and designation. i'.:That an alternate member of the Appeal Board be; appointed. ';,.' ... That:the Appeal Board be given statutory, power to summon any'person" as a witness .at the hearing of appeals, and that the expenses of any'witness-not in the Public Service be allowed.

'That unsuccessful applicants for positions be notified by the. Commissioner of/the,name,,grade,': and class of the successful .appointee. . ,;-,.; ,'. That: the Government .'• be asked, to .amend' Section/51 of the Publio Service Act, : 1912,'"50' as to ■provide for: the, right of appeal.against dismissal without reasons being given.,; / -At the afternoon session, tho following remits ;were" passed:— ■ .'/ : /■: /./That' - the/ Commissioner .should -invite applications -to fill vacancies at the earliest .possible moment,/and that the cbm'-i mon ■ proyisibn, in advertisements : that the salaries of successful applicants be /considered/in'connection with .their former/salaries; be-not: inserted. '

''That/officers stationed at isolated towns; or/'villages ;be given the right after'a. <ive 'years' \ term of residence to. transfer,! '..if they. so! desire, to,- more' central ;-dis-' .triots.'-.--'-'!-.

'/.That'-subject to ..the Drovisioh; of the, Public Service Act. an.officerqualified for the,-Professional .Division be transferred into: that-division.'from;the, clerical or generalVfliyisiot.;. >.', ; ... .'; '.'That .'the. Public- Service Commissioner .be approached with a. view to.:ensuring. , that replies'to. co'mmunicatipns'from offi',cers'"to'him: be .addressed -and forwarded:- to ;the.;o£ficers .concerned through, of course, the .usual .channel..,,.-." ";'..-.-' .-■': -That.more reasonable facilities, for ob- : taining: practical certificates in the senior examination ..in compulsory, subjects be extended:to. officers preparing for examination; '.■'-.'.'..■. '.' ~ .-:.-' ' ■■''".- '■'■.',■'■■-. ..That draughting, cadets in the Lands ■and' Survey Departmeritibe. given better; facilities for becoming licensed surveyors -than at present, obtain: • i -In another., column, will bo! found.en advertisement -relating -to a special sale of horses; Messrs.' Abraham and, Williams, Ltd:, are' holding'at their ■ Horse. Bazaar, In Grey Street, Palmerston North, on Saturday next:' ■'-.:TJipwards, of ; 60. very 'tine draught!horses' will bo offered on account-of-'the- following -vendors:—Messrs., J. A. ; Russell; of Gillespie's .Line, who is giving, up contracting, will rsell: .16 - first-class' young, marea and .geldings out of hard work; Mr! Kearins,. of Kairanga,'wlll offer A -,' draught mares and .geldings, 6 to 7. years old,-and sold- with any guarantee; Mr. B. A.Diolt, of Southland, has brought up a.'shipmentofil heavy draught maresand geldingß,,from 4 to 7 years old; and just out of hard work. .These latter-horses are in Abrahamand-Williams, Ltd.'s; paddock 1 , at'.the . present;!time,. next Andrew Guy's office, .where they can be inspected by anyone: :i Hi: R.Di Knight, Longburn, frill'- be represented with -7 spring cart to medium • dxaughts, * on 4 6 years old, •and-,: 3'pedigree' draughlt mores. ". Mr. Norman} Kirkcaldle, .of Levin, will offer '3 flrstelass.. medium : draughts. The auctioneers recommend, those .wanting', really good, horses to.attend, this sale. ■"■.'"