ABILITY OR SENIORITY?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 271, 5 August 1918, Page 4

ABILITY OR SENIORITY?

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES FOR DEFENCE BRANCH. The Defence Commission, in its report to the Government, quotes with approval extracts from a memorandum issued to his staff by tho Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores. Tho Director lavs down tho principle that "seniority alone affords no claim for promotion." "Tho present, staff," he states, "may bo divided into three classes, namely,— (a) Those whoso qualifications are undoubted. (b) Colourless men, lacking energy and initiative, shirking responsibility, always looking for some excuso to avoid work—the fl-to-5 men. (c) Those whose unfitness is nppar- • ent. "Dealing with (a) and (c) is simple; but chi6s (b), which represents a fair proportion, presents many difficulties. ' The appointment of thoso men was originally mado localise there was nothing known against them. Subsequent promotions arc made for the same reason. "Men should only be appointed or promoted if something is known in their favour. Under.our present system the burden of proving a case for refusing appointment or promotion rests with tho general officer commanding,, and unless 1 a strong caso is made out which will stand the test of questions in Parliament made by interested patries—because officers and others arc of opinion that they have a vested right in the service—it is very difficult to refuse appointment or promotion. Tho result is that few men, if any, aro refused appointment or promotion on the grounds of inefficiency only, and some specific act or neglect of duty, or often wors?, must bo proved against them. "It is therefore submitted that no person should ho allowed to think that he has a vested right in the service. If men. are unfitted for their position they should be compelled to give place to better men. This can be accomplished by adopting business principles—i.e., if men do uot'show proof of making good, there is a method of getting rid of them which we do not possess; but is there any reason why we should not possess the samo means? "On the administrative sido of the-ser-vice (if not in all branches) all officers should ho obtained from the ranks, 6appointments to be permanent so long only ' as the men can successfully and efficiently perform their duties. Thus, like the shareholders in a soundly-managed commercial concern, the taxpayers shall obtain value for money expended." TO-NIGHT'S PATRIOTIC MEETING « The public of Wellington are reminded of the big patriotic meeting to be held in the Town Hall-this evening to mark Ihe fourth anniversary of England's entry into the greatest'war of all times. A motion acclaiming the inflexible determination of ihe Empire to continue the war lo a victorious issuo will bo moved by the Mayor (Mr. ,T. P. Luke, M.P., C.M.G.), and seconded by Councillor A. R. Atkinson. Addresses of a patriotic character will also be delivered by the Hon. Sir William Fraser and the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, M.P.'s. -A et.pital musical programme will also be provided.' Admission is free. AUCKLAND RESOLVES TO CARRY ON Auckland, August 4. The patriotic'meeting at the Auckland Town Hall was largely attended. The war resolution of determination to carry on was carried unanimously.