The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1916. FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2840, 3 August 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1916. FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

The annual report of the Public Service Commissioner* does not call for any special comment on tho present occasion. It shows, however, that a, good deal of useful work has been accomplished during the past year, notwithstanding tho unsettlcment caused by the war. Somo reforms have- been introduced and economies effected, ' but, generally speaking, it has been found necessary to mark time. The present is not an opportune moment for making far-reaching changes in Departmental methods. Tho war has created many' difficulties.' Taking tho exceptional circumstances into consideration, it is satisfactory to! know that "a reasonable normal efficiency" has been maintained. It would not be fair to expect more than- this. The Commissioners and tho heads o'f Departments have had an anxious time. Their work and responsibilities have been very materially increased, owing to tho largo number of officers who havo responded to the Empire's call for fighting men, and the new services which it has been found necessary to create for war purposes havo added to tho burden. Thestatement that about 45 per cent, of tho total number of single men of military ago in the Public Service have joined the Expeditionary Forces gives some idea of' tho difficulty which must have been experienced in maintaining the smooth working of the Departmental machinery. The fact that 1319 Public Servants,havo enlisted affords ample justification" for tho postponement of the usual readjustments of staff and important reforms which the Commissioners havo decided to carry out. 13ut in spite of tho imperative claims of war work, tho Commissioners aro abla to record some achievements in'- the way of economy and reorganisation. It has been one of their principal aims to modernise tho service by the introduction of tho best business methods, tho idea being to make economics wherever possible without involving any sacrifice of efficiency. Tho fact that over £15,000 has been saved in the various Departments by the introduction of modern methods and mechanical appliances is a very practical proof of the success of the Commissioner system in this direction. In their first report, tho Commissioners madoit clear that it was not their intention to economise by over-working or under-paying the employees of the State. Their aim was to improvo tho working conditions, and to encourngo Public Servants to take a pride in making their Departments as efficient as possible. They expressed a real desire to show proper recognition to men with ideas, and to give sympathetic consideration to any suggestions that officers might make for tho improvement of the Service. They set before themselves a high standard of administration, and displayed a proper sense of responsibility, both to tho general public and to tho Public Servants.

There can bo no difference of opinion as to tho excellence of these guiding principles, but ifc must be admitted that tho relationship between the Commissioners and tho Departmental officials has not alI ways been perfectly harmonious. The Commissioners apperf'v to have been more_ successful in planning and working out largo reforms than in dealing with some matters of detail Which have not always been handled as tactfully as might reasonably be expected. A certain amount of friction has occurred, and signs of discontent have occasionally made their appearance. Tho Commissioners may not be entirely to blame for these things. It would be unreasonable to expect that perfect harmony should always prevail in the many_ Departments over which trfoy exercise control, nor could it bo expected that the changes which they have inaugurated would come into effect without creating some disappointmouts s ancl heart-burnings. But needless cause for.irritation would seem at times to have been given. Comparatively small troubles sometimes attract more attention and engender more soreness than serious defects, and it would be a great pity if the undoubted general efficiency and success of the new regime should be marred for lack of a sympathetic understanding between the heads of tho Service and the general staff.