PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1503, 11 July 1905, Page 2

PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS.

MR MASSEY WANTS A PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD.

In a debate in the House of Representatives Mr Massey denounced the prasent system of making public appointments, and said the only remedy was a Public Sorvioo Board. If they had such a board theso things would not happen. MrSaddon: Why? Mr Massey : Because no political influence could then be brought to bear. Several Members: Oh 1 ohl Mr Seddon : Wherever Public Sorvico Boards have been tried they have proved a failure. Mr Massey : Nonsense. Mr Seddon: In Australia thny have proved an absolute failure. Mr Massey: No. Mr Seddon said more polilios I and Ministerial influonoo would be brought to bear under a Civil Service Board tlian at presont. He referred to the late Railway Commissioners in New Zealand, and said he knew of officers being promoted by the Commissioners over the heads of tiheir seniors, bat the leader of the Opposition did not want the present Government to establish the board. He wanted to form one when bo got into power, as he knew be would not be there loDg. Mr Massey : If you introduce the proposal I will support it. Spooking on the general question of re'gistrars and returning officers, Mr. Massey' said that he was quito satisfied with tho returning officer in his own district. Mr Seddon ; Because ho is a supporter of yours. Mr Massey: No. Mr Seddon: Tell me that I do not know. Mr Massey said he had previously urged, that men should be sent round by returning offioors to put people’s names on the roll, but he said he denied that, as the Premier seemed to insinuate,'he desired this because the returning officer in his own die trici wes a supporter of his. As a matter of fact, be did not know what tho politics of this officer was, but he believed he was toe intalligent to ha a Government supporter. (Laughter.) Mr Seddon explained that he had no intention of making such an insinuation as tbat suggested by Mr Masaoy. He had been told that the officer was a supporter of Mr Massey, but ho did not think that he showed any bias.