NEW SYDNEY METHODS

Evening Star, Issue 19790, 14 February 1928, Page 3

NEW SYDNEY METHODS

REFORMS AT TOWN HALL EXTRA HALF-HOUR'S WORK Tho Civic Commissioners who now have control of inunifip.il affairs in Sydney apparently ! eli.ve in working hard themselves and in seeing that everybody else works hard, says a Syd•<*v pacer, miring the short term that they have been in office they have investigated some df the important activities of the departments. They are making every effort each day to find out what is being done, how it is being done, and who is doing the work. From the humblest messenger to the heads of the departments everybody in the civic service seems to realise that the time has come for efficiency. The commissioners have decided to request the _ Conciliation Committee covering their employees to extend the working hours of Town Hall employees from 4.30 p.m. each day until 5 o’clock. It is expected that this may not come before the Conciliation Committee for some time, and when it does it is to be contested by the Municipal Employees’ Union. It is bitterly complained in the Town Hall corridors that the extended “ Knockoff” time would prevent hundreds from obtaining afternoon tea at a “respectable hour.” The commissioners have circulated a questionnaire among the heads of departments asking them many pertinent questions concerning their departments and their staffs. The queries include the cost of the department and number of the staff employed now and in previous years, whether there is overlapping, and overtime, and why, and whether there have been any complaints. Included among tho searching questions are the ■following:—Are the officers efficient? Are they underpaid,

sufficiently paid, or overpaid? Is the work of the department up-to-date? A public meeting of tho commission last week was remarkable for the orderly manner in which the business was dealt with. There was no discussion. for the matters introduced had already received close scrutiny. Payments amounting to £107,442 were authorised, £78,969 being for wages. “ From a notice posted at tho front door of the Town Hall, I notice that b'i per cent, is allowed on loans. _ The rate offered in other quarters is 5J per cent. Some explanation of this is required. Please furnish it as early as possible.” This is one of a series of questions which the city treasurer will have,to answer to the Civic Commissioners. Other departmental heads have been kept busy writing answers to posers issued by tho commissioners. They have to present their answers at personal interviews. Expenditure through every channel is to be carefully chocked, and officers will be required to deal with coal tenders, office routine, costing system, leases of properties, number of motor cars, their use and supervision, and the hours worked by tho officers themselves. Tho questions are directed in a form which leaves no room for doubt that an immediate tightening-up of Town Hall administration is to be enforced.