THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 7

THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE Tlip annual i-onferencn of the Npm , 'lα*' land Public Service Astidfiiition whs conliuiieil in Iho Jispnranio Hall on Wednesday. Tlio tollon-inic muliouß were iirloplcil during tho day:— Thai tbo (Jomniistiioner be asked to stat;n (ho conditions on which officers retired on Ruperannualiou are- emplor«d, an.d an assurance bo asked that {liey will not stand in the way of the promotion of permanent officers in the Service. That do complaints bo considered by the Commissioner unless they nro t>ubmitied >lo him within fourteen dajs of tho charge, against tho officer. That this conference disapproves of Iho (ofal fiubstitiition of [ho matriculation for tho ■Public Service senior examination, and lhat the examination to l>o sat for bo ;it (lie option of the candidate.

That jiuWin servanls who have had to obtain their practical training outsulo and prior to entering the public service, provided their training has exceeded ien years, should bo granted twenty-one days' annual leave on joining the- Scrvico. That night watchmen bo granted leavo one night per week; instead of ono night per forlnight, as at present. That Iho production of a medical certificate when an officer is absent on account of sickness for Moro than, three

days bo at tho discretion of tho permanent head of tho Department, or altornately that in cases of bona fide Jllnese tho expenso of obtaining a certificato bo mot by tho Department. That officers nnablo to toko statutory holidays when ihey fall due, r.nd unable to take time off (as provided in Regulation 66) shall be gTanted equivalent leavo in conjunction with annual leave. That tho Public Service Commissioner be requested to raiso tho salaries of mental hospital officers by at least .£ls for married attendants and artisans and £1 10s. for unmarried officers and nurses. That the Public Service Commissioner be askctl to consider .shortening the hours of trork for mental hospital officers, and that the change be given effect lo at the conclusion of the war.

That artisans employed in mental hosr pitals be classified, showing the maximum salary lo which they may bo entitled.

That the hours of duty of night watch' officers in tho'prisons, being excessive, be reduced to forty-eight hours per week, oi; time allowed off for all excess hours worked.

That tho hours of prison officers bs so arranged as to allow a clear hour off for each meal.

Tllat the hours of duty of prison officers be reduced so that tlie maximum number of hours worked in each, week does not exceed forty-eight, and that tho executive approach the Commissioner with a view to having the hours cur-, tailed; also that prison officers be brought into line with other Civil Servants as regards leave and other privileges. The conforence was continued yesterday. Many remits were discussed during the day, and the-visiting delegates wore entertained' at dinner by the executive in the evening. The following remits wero adopted:— Prison and Police Officers. "That the Commissioner be requested visit the prisons, giving officers coi opportunity of interviewing him personally and of bringing under hia notice matters of vital importance to them." . "That the Publio Service Commissioners be asked to extend to prisons officers tho privilege cf personal interview, as has been given officers of other Departments." "That all prison officers who are charged with any offence whatever be allowed to have counsel appear for them. At the present time there is a regulation which precludes prisons officers from receiving this privilege, although it is granted to other branches of the Service."

"That omcera who the Police Force prior to the institution of examinations shall bo permitted to take them in sections."

"That. Police- Force Regulations, .1913, Sections tB6 aid 170, bo strictly enforced. Section 170, Police Forco Regulations, 1913, havo tho words added after 'Sectional Sergeant" in one! of the following centres, viz.: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.". "That the executive comyiitteo 1)6 asked to approach tho Government with a request to liave tho Police Force Act so amended as to give i»lico officers tlio same rights of appeal as enjoyed _ by members of the General Public Service." "That the executive be asked; to approach tho Commissioner of Polico with ; a viow to having tho publication of all transfers and vacancies in the various offices and stations of tho Police Force notified in tho Polico Gazette, and that such publication lako placo at least It days prior to such positions being filled." Constables on cscort from one station to another to bo allowed leavo to enable proper rest and sleep to bo obtained (whore necessary) and not bo compelled as at return by tho first available train." _ "When vacancies occur in out-stations, due regard bo paid to seniority when filling the position. Senior constables to have tho preference before junior constables. All vacancies to bo advertised in the Police Gazottc." - Other Matters. "That all oHi cere whose annual lpavo was reduced from four weeks in. 1915 to three weeks in 1910 and 1917 allowed the balanco as promised, and that it accumulate till after the war. "That the position of shorthand-typists who entored tho Public Service nt tho commencing salary of »C 72 per annum receivo the consideration 9f tho Cominissioner with a view to his removing tho injustico dona to them when tho second grading system was introduced, by which a girl passing a. shorthand test of 110 words a minute could l'cceivo a ailary ol .£96 per annum." ' ■ "That tho quostion of remuneration In messengers for holiday duty bo again brought beforo tho lor favourable consideration." "That the position of ontsido moraen-gers-in-chargo be re-classified, with a maximum of X 190." . "That tho present maximum of jE«2O for apiarv instructors bo increased. "That tho Commissioner bo asked to stato when tho consolidation of the regulations under the Public. Sorvico Act promised last year may bo expected. "Thill; Iho association urgo upon file Government tho advisability of setting up a commission of experts, not ncccoearily memboi's of t.lio Public Sennco, for tho purpose of examining ho presort system of public accounts, to report 10 tho Government whether, in. tnoir opinion, the system includes adequate safeguards against fraudulent manipulation of public, moneys." . . . "That the Commissioner bo asked to advise permanent heads that whatever poseiblo annual leavo be granted to officers so oiitttled, as _it is desirable on account of extra dut.icM falliug on tho (.houlders of officers to grant any respite that the work of a. Department will permit." . , , .. "That the Government bo urged to extend l.ho provision for the- families of Tcservisls who may bo called up lor service with the Expeditionary I'orce. . "That chairmen in tho Public >. erwco rnreivo oqualilT of treatment. "Thai. draughtsmen in alt public. [)e----partnienlt< be provided with instru"That members of the clerical staff of the Valuation Department bo given the opportunity to qualify for tho position of District Valuer." . . "This council agrees that in view ol present vnr conditions and probable future war requirements all resolutions relating to leave privileges or reduction of tho hours of duty, or Hint in any other wav involve an increaso ot wait, no held over by the Commissioner lor consideration until after tho conclusion ol peace."