PUBLIC SERVICE APPOINTMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 215, 9 June 1920, Page 7

PUBLIC SERVICE APPOINTMENTS

Sir,—As the paragraph, published in your issue of June 2, rclatin* to the appointment of Mr. Hunter as. "Director of the Dental Department for Treatment of School Children" is so worded as to convey an erroneous impression, I crave your indulgence in order to place u few facte before your readers. It is etated in the paragraph referred to that Mr. Hunter resigned "as complaints were mado by other members of the profession, about the position being given to him without competition being invited." This is not the reason given by Mr. Huntor himself, but it is nevertheless true, as tho following words, published in the "N.Z. Dental Journal" will show.; Mr, Hunter-stated to the executive of the.N.Z.D.A. at Auckland: "On my return from England I was approached by th© Commissioner and asked to apply for the'position.. This I refused to do. I was subsequently twice approached and finally consented to apply." He then stated that soon after he was advised that he had been appointed. The Public Service Commissioner, went through the fa*ce of calling for applications through the public Press, but three times lie anproached Mr. Hunter; Who told the Commissioner to invito Mr. Hunter to become an applicant? Also, were, any others'similarly invited? In view of the above, what chance had any other applicant? Sir, the statement that "competition was.invited 1 ' is merely issued as a blind to the public' The dentists of New Zealand are not behind Mr. Hunter, and it is well that the public should know this fact—l am,, etc., W. POWELL. TThe foregoing: letter was referred to the Public Servjce Commissioner for Ms comment. It happens that Mr. W. B. Morris, tho present Commissioner, was not in office when some of the circumstances traversed by the correspondent's letter occurred, but the Commissioner states that he in well enough informed as to the facts. Tho statement made by the Commissioner was as follows:— "Colonel Hunter was chief dentnj officer of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force, and the officer we wanted for this new position was a man with organising ability, because he would bo in charge- of a very considerable staff. Colonel Hunter's record showed that he possessed organising powers in a high degree, and that ho had had considerable We are perfectly satisfied that of all applicants for the position on the second occasion on which applicants were invited, Colonel Hunter was the best fitted to carry out the work required of hini. When the appointment of Colonel Hunter was first made, it was thought every dentist who had served abroad with the Expeditionary Force had been considered, but: it was because of the possibility that this might not have been completely dono that Colonel Huntor was influenced in his action of resignation frorr. tho position very soon after his appointnvr.t. The Commissioner was asked at that time to consult with the Dental Association as to'the officer to be appointed, but this wo had to say was impossible. Wo could not agree to leave the appointment to,an outside organisation. But wo did consult with tho president of the INjntal Association unofficially, nnd wo were nssuivd that the appointment of Colonel Hunter would bo regarded by tho association as satisfcetory. This consultation took place beforo Colonel Huntor was reappointed. When ani-l:-cations were invited for the second time for the position six applications w«ro received. Of these we selected four from men who had had military service villi the Dental. Covjis. These four we interviewed. The other two had not had military service, and had not hnd experience in organisation which we considered essential. It was after wo had made the' selection of _ theso four that we interviewed the prcsidont of tho Dental Association. He, in turn, approved ■ of uur selection of Colonel Hunter as the beat man for the position."!