PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3115, 20 June 1917, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVICE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENED

REMITS UNDER CONSIDERATION

The annual conArenee of (he Now Zealand I'ublic Service Association was opened yesterday in Hie Esperanto Hall. Ihe president (Mr. G. Airport) was in Hie chair, and the™ wore also present Messrs. W. M. Wright and C. P., Jiobioson (vice-presidents), F. W. Millar (lion, general secretary), B. L. Dallard (hon. general treasurer), a.nd tho following district delegates-Auckland, F. H. Pope and W. B. .lames; South Auckland, B. L. Hammond; Hawke's Bay, D. Hankin; Wangomii, C. H. Clinkard; Palmerston North, Captain Trask; Wellington, A. Burgess, W. N. Egglastone, F. J<\ Lauren. «in, J. Forsyth,' F. J. Glcdhill, ,1. P.. -U'Clnne, C. E. Stichburv. F. T. Sandfor<l, G. Ward; Marlborough, W. .1. Elvy; Nelson, A. H. Hounsell; West Coast, W. H. Bovs; Canterbiuv. P. E. Webb and W. J. Brandon; Otago, G. Ball (Lands and Deeds Department, Dim- , odin) and G. C. Cooke; Southland, A. A. I Douglas. Annual Report. ; The annual report stated that the total membership of tho association had now increased to 8157, an addition of 3127 for 1 the twelve month?. Of the grand total some 700 members were at present serving with the Expeditionary Force. Considering that the association had a goodly ■number of fennile members, the proportion of members with tho forces showed that it was exceedingly well represented in Hie firing lines. The roll of honour nublished at the beginning of the Public •Service classification list for 1017-I8 showed that many members bad made tho supreme sacrihee. The most striking feature in the year so far as membership was concerned was tho coming into the association of the police. It was estimated that 60 or" 70 per cent, of tho whole police force had joined since November last. In the course of a survey of the work of the association the report mentioned that many officers had been granted legal assistance in connection with their appeals, a principle, of course, being involved in each case. "Among the ■niost important cases so dealt with, and in which the commit!ee have pleasure in recording success attended their efforts, was that of a Customs officer, Wauganui, whose position had been degraded, though the dirties had not decreased in any way. The decision, of the Appeal Board upheld the association's contention that a. position should not be reduced unless there had been, a corresponding decrease in tho value of the work attached to it. Another case in which an important principle was involved arose out of the appointment of a number of accounts clerks to the Public Trust Office. Two officers who were originally selected were not appointed on account of the fact that their permanent head took up tho attitude that he could not spare them. The officers unreservedly placed their cases iu the hands of the associathey were advised to appeal, and happily their appeals were upheld. This action resulted in the obtaining of an opinion from the Solicitor-General, which lucidly defined the circumstances in which the convcnieiw of tho State should take precedence over the individual interests of its servant. Another oase assisted was that of an officer who appealed on the ground that he was "fit, qualified, and available" within tho meaning of the Public Service Act, and an officer outside that service had obtained the appointment. Again their efforts were successful." President's Address. Tho president, in opening the conference, said thnt the association was to be congratulated on. the increase in ils

membership, and on the fact that it:

funds had increased to i'sßl during tho year, in spite of fairly heavy expenses. The linking of the police force with the' association was an important development, and ho did not think that the Government would have any reason to regret giving its consent to the policß becoming menibers of the association. The organisation had been formed, with the object of assisting its members, but

it had always' considered tho interests of the State, and he did not think that

:he members of the police forco would

iiiul their connection with other Civil .Servants compromising them in the proper and efficient discharge of their duties. Mr. Airport referred to the fact

that a deadlock' with the Public Service Commissioner regarding various important matters had led the association to

take out an originating summons in the Supreme Court with the object of having

the position defined. Subsequently the association, at the invitation of the Minister of Internal Adah's, had met the Commissioner and discussed the dispute. Further conferences had resulted in a settlement of the matters in dispute. • The representatives of the association had found the Commissioners prepared to meet them fairly and as far as they could, and he thought; the settlement arrived at was satisfactory both to the- . association and the Commissioners. Also, he thought they might safely say that the result of the conferences had been that the association- and the Commissioners had a much better understanding of each 1 other, and that matters between them were going on amicably. He anticipated that that state of affairs would continue. The president mentioned also the formation of a Council .of State Service Associations, consisting or representatives of the Public Service Association, the A.S.R.S.. the Railway Officers' Association, the Teachers' .Association, the Locomotive and Engine-drivers' Association, and the • Post and Telegraph Officers' Association. That association was engaged in endeavouring to get the Government to reduce the cost of living and to legislate so that public servants who go to the front may receive their civil pay. The conference then went into committee, and set up a Press Committee to provide an official report of the subscouent proceedings. A. vote of sympathy with relatives of deceased members of the association was carried ii silence. \ The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A vote of. thanks to the executive committee for its work during the past year was carried unanimously. Remits Reaffirmed. Eemits on the following subjects passed at last conference we're reaffirmed:—Replies of the Public Service Commissioner to communications from officers; time of production of medical certificate in case of sickness; period for drawing personal expenses of married officers on transfer; allowances to officers at: the maximum salary of class VI; position of draughtsmen in the Lands and Survey Department; camp allowance to engineers of Public Works Department. Appeals. The following new remit was passed: —"That the association ask the Government to introduce an amendment of the Public Service Act to provide that the member elected by tho general Public Service sit on the Appeal Board when it is hearing an appeal against the appointment of an officer of the general service to a position in that service." The following remits were discussed and adopted:— That this conference strongly protests against the attempt recently made to influence the Appeal Board in its decision in the Jordan appeal case contrary to Section fi of Hie Public Service Act, as it considers such action tends to destroy confidence in the Appeal Board as an impartial tribunal, and thereby lessens its usefulness. Such action also is directly contrary to the spirit and intention of the Act. It is hoped that the Government will take such action as will effectually prevent, a- recurrence of the action complained of. That a strong protest be made against, (he delay of the Public, Service Commissioner in filling certain vacancies, and that he be asked lo fill them at once. The conference will sil again lu-ilay.