THE HIGHER OFFICES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1926, Page 10

THE HIGHER OFFICES

IN CIVIL SERVICE

NEED FOR SPECIAL TRAINING

Ihe need for special training of 'departmental officers to enable them to qualify for the higher positions in the Government service is rei'crred to by the Public Service Commissioner (Mr. P. Verschaffelt) in his annual report, presented in tho House of Representatives yesterday. "There is need to ensure a sufficient supply of highly trained officers,-' states Mr. Vei'Bchaffelt, "officers who will be 'leadei'B,' officers of tact and judgment, officers who will be fully qualified in every respect to carry out tho important functions of permanent head, officers with as comprehensive a knowledge of the 'principles' underlying tho State functions that they are called upou to administer as a successful business manager has of a privately owned institution. "In the case of positions requiring professional or- technical skill, great core is taken to ensure that only officers with a special training are appointed. The higher or administrative positions similarly demand special qualifications and knowledge, and as these positions are in practically all cases filled from within tho service, I am of tho opinion that further facilities should bo afforded to officers to qualify accordingly. "At the present time special arrangements are in force enabling professional and technical officers to attend full-time lectures in science and engineering courses at the university and thus pursue their professional and technical' training. If similar privileges were extended so as to enable a limited number of junior non-profes-sional officers to follow a course in higher education, and bettor fit themselves for the higher administrative positions in the service, I am convinced much good would result. I feel sure tho university would readily co-oper-ate in the matter."