GOVERNMENT CADETS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 217, 1 June 1918, Page 8

GOVERNMENT CADETS

» AN ADVANCE IN SALAEIES. "In the February issue (says the "Public Service Journal") we published a report of tho association's interview (in October, 1917) with tho Public Service Commissioner at which was advocated tho granting of a rateable increase in salaries to take the place of the. general reclassification, and also of the war bonus at present payable, until after the war. Although we have not succeeded in securing this' desirable reform, it is pleasurable to record that the Commissioner has gone well on the way towards giving efl'ect to the association's proposals—made at the same interview—that there should bo an increase in the salary scale for cadets.

"Omitting lodging allowance in each case we give the following comparison:— Old Assn's P.S. (Jom.'s Scale. Proposal. Provision. £ £ £ Ist year ... SO G5 65 2nd year... (15 SO 80 3rd year ... Sfl 100 95 Ith year .... 95 125 120 The alteration is a distinct improvement, resulting as it does in reducing the cadet sta;;o from six years to four years. A reform of this nature naturally carries with it anomalies, which aheadv have been seized upon by young public servant's who arei in their cadetship. The cadet with a year's service finds himself receiving the same salary as his fellow-cadet who joined the service but yesterday, and the sixth year cadet on £120 has to reconcile himself to the fact that not only is his fifth year brother to range alongside him, but the fourth year cadet too is to follow close upon his heels. The lntler we can for the present but ask to realise that he himself is losing nothing although his fellows may l>3 gaining, and that at a, later stage there may be improvements in the higher grades in which he will duly participate, and Hie former to appreciate the fact that the ladder of promotion has for him bo-?n reduced by one rung. "The evident reluctance of the right type of young man to enter the Public Service has no doubt compelled the Commissioner to realise that the inducements aro inadequate; with the result that he has made the entrance conditions more attractive. So far so good, but it has tn be borne in mind that as the standard of efficiency in the. junior officers increises, so does the demand for opportunities for legitimate promotion. Unless such an outlet is given, unless the juniors of to-day are satisfied that efficiency, ability, and application will result in their becoming the seniors of tomorrow, there is considerable doubt whether the improved conditions at the outset only will make them adopt the Public Service as a career."