THE, CIVIL SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2340, 5 November 1908, Page 6

THE, CIVIL SERVICE.

[To tiie Editor.]

Sir, —The statements made from the public platform by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr AlcNab that since the present administration took -office not a single relative of a Cabinet" Minister had been appointed to the Civil Service —thereby implying that there was no jobbery or favoritism in connection with' Ciyffi Service appointments, are, to say the least- of them, wild and reckless.

Not six months ago a very near relative of the Native Alinister was pitchforked into the Government service and appointed to a post in this town. Another very near relative of the Native Minister, if he was Slot actually appointed to the Government service since Sir Joseph Ward assumed office, was promoted to a [position that lie never would have been appointed to, here also- in . this town, were he not a nephew of the Np.tive Minister. Two half-caste yoirftg fellows, also from this town, very personal friends of the Native Minister, .have been taken into the service and their promotion has been by 1 eaps and bounds, until now, after two or three years service they are receiving pay nearly double that of other officers of the Department, with from twelve to twenty years service to their credit.

One of these .young fellows—if liis salary, bonuses, and travelling allowances were totalled up —will be .found to be receiving nearly £6OO per annum, yet on last Estimates he was awarded a very substantial increase, while other officers of the Department were passed over. If any of these facts are denied, names and figures can be immediately supplied. Then take again the latest appointment in the Native Minister’s Department: the President of the Taira whiti Board. Even Mr Carroll’s staunchest- supporters do not attempt to justify such an appointment, and when, it became known that a man of Colonel Porter’s ability and standing in the town had been removed to make room for the present appointee, whose only claim to the position was that he had been an ardent supporter of the Native Minister, and' a member of his. Election Committee, many of Air Carroll’s,friends thought that he was attempting political suicide. Yet this man, after long and arduous service, extending over a period of three months, was —with Mr Carroll’s other friends—voted a very substantial increase in salary until now he is one of the highest paid Government officials in Gisborne.

■ Those are only a few cases picked out at random—goodness only knows what 'a systematic search would reveal.

The present administration may be no worse than former .administrations but before they thank God in public that they .are not like the rest of men, they might at least take the trouble to he a little more cautious ■in their statements. —I am, etc.. “NEPOTISM.”