PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 232, 19 June 1918, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL

AMENDMENT OP SYSTEM URGED.

Public Service control was ;i mutter for cmnment and discussion the annual conference of tlio New Zealand Public Service Association yesterday. The following two remits wero passed in this .connecl ion:—

'That the Government bo requested so to end the Public Servico Act, 1912, -cs to provide for tho control of the servico by it non-political board' in placo of a. Commissioner and two Assistant Commissioners as at present, such board to include at least one member to be elected by PuMic Servants who nro nwmibers of the l J ubliu Service Association."

"That tlio Public Servico Association, while recognising that amendments are still required in the system of Commissioner control, express their keen disapproval of any attempt made to revert to the former system of political control." Tho question is thus referred to in tho annual report of the executive-:—"Tho Public Service Commissioner 'and the association's executive officials have met i:t many interviews during tho twelve months, and wo ane pleased to be able to state that tho amicublo relations which wcro established shortly alter tho withdrawal of the originating summons havo continued uninterruptedly. The question as to the most suitable system of control of tho Service and of the policy of the association in regard thereto will be dcaltj with at the conference, and it is not considered desirable to make any comments other than those which have already appealed in the editorial columns of the 'Public Service Journal,' except to reiterato that the association stands tor non-political control of the Public Servico of the Dominion."

Speaking 011 the subject at the conference of the association yesterday, Mho president (Mr. G. Ailport) said: "You are all aware that some time ago we had difficulties with the Public Service Commissioner, but I am very pleased to tell you that at the present tinM our relations are most amicable, that wo hove .had free and full opportunity of seeing the Commissioner whenever we desired to do so during the past year, and that tli>o Commissioner lias always been ready to hear our representatives and to give tiiem consideration. Of course, we all know tliat we have not got all we thought we should get, but w>c recognise, at the same time, that the Commissioner is desirous of meeting us as far as he can, and that he has done some things for us, and lias been prepared to discuss matters with us when we desired to dc so. I hope, ond I believe, that these friendly relations will continue, and that they will be for the good of tho service." (Applause.)