THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3989, 23 July 1915, Page 3

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

REPORT OF 'THE COMMISSIONER

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent; WELLINGTON, July 22. '

‘‘Even at the risk of reiteration, “ states the report of the Public Servico Commissioner brought down in the Legislative Council yesterday, “tne commissioners again stress the necessity for business methods, which are nothing more than the methods whicn give a maximum result at a minimum of cost.”

The report further states that the pressure placed upon departments owing, to the rapid changes in staff as the result v>f officers volunteering for the Expodi tionary Force has prevented progress in the direction of amalgamation of departments. The efficiency of the Public Ser vice should be of tho highest standard and, while this is the goal looked for by the commissioners, a certain disappointment must be expressed at the comparatively slow rate of improvement in some departments. It is, however, difficult, when the existing inefficiency is the result of 30 or 40 years’ entanglement in the meshes of unbusinesslike methods, to produce greater efficiency without vexatious delays, but it is satisfactory to record that, while some departments passively or actively resist improvements which are likely to lead to increased efficiency, others show a sustained endeavor to bring their departments into the best conditions.

The report states: “The commissioners, on the general question of economy, after two years’ experience, arc now able to say with certainty that, given prudent and careful administration, the development of initiative, a closer application to duty by officers, and stricter insistence ontheir punctual attendance, the prevention of unnecessary travelling, the exercise of proper care in the use of stores and stationery (in- which great waste occurs), the use to the fullest extent of mechanical devices, the introduction and extension of modern methods, and a judicious absorption of some of the smaller departments,

saving of a sum not far short ot £IOO,OOO per annum could be brought about in the expenditure of the Public Service without curtailing the services. impairing their efficiency or incurring the slightest risk. In fact, it is considered that many interests wonltl be .more completely safeguarded than at present and the public better served.”

So long as so many departments exist economy and efficiency arc not likely to be regarded by them as ol equal importance to the aggramli/.ntion of the departments. This condition will probably be kept in check to a certain extent by classification, ft it not. however, unknown lor a recommendation to be_ made involving a change in title of an officer, which as stated to be more or less formal an I for the recommendation to be followed by an application for promotion, the improved status being used as a lever. Therefore it has been the constant endeavor of the commissioners to extend, wherever possible, the policy of co-operation’ between departments, particularly in the matter of .speciel and routine office work and this lias proved useful and economical.’’

In regard to the seniority list, the commissioner says that attention nas been given to the preparation of a seniority list for each department, but, in view of the conflicting claims which must arise as the result of temporary officers ■ having become automatically permanent in 1907, no satisfactoryprogress has been made. The Public Service lists for departments other than the Post and Telegraph department are not, therefore, regarded as seniority lists. There is no urgency about the matter as the principle cl the Public Service A't is to place merit and fitness before long service and it would probably be as well fo defer the issue of a seniority list until the next reclassification of the service takes place. By that time promotions and other changes will have determined seniority in the majority of cases. As the Post and Telegrapli department had been classified for 21 years before the commissioners assumed office, there lias been no difficulty in continuing its list on a seniority basis. The commissioners have, wherever practicable, maintained the principle of filling vacancies in the higher positions from within the service and, only in a few isolated cases, has it been considered necessary to invite applications from outside the service. This principle tho commissioners hope to continue. At the same time, they feel that it is due to the officers themselves to state in plain language that difficulties are being experienced in finding capable officers to fill positions of responsibility—particularly officers with initiative and possessing a knowledge of higher accounts work, together with capacity to supervise and control. The standing invitation conveyed by Regulation No 17 to officers to suggest improvements in tbe work and methods of departments has not been responded to as well as during the previous year. Suggestions to the number of 63 have been forwarded to the commissioners.

It is estimated, as at the, Ist April, 1915, that classified salaries ■id 11 be underspent by approximately £BS 000 for all departments, including the Post and Telegraph, owing to the absence of officers at the war, hut it will be necessary to set against this an. expenditure estimated at £29,000 for permanent and temporary assistance other than that supplied to the Defence Department for its special work. The difference between these two amounts is principally explainable by the fact that the Post and Telegraph Department has been able to fill the places of absent officers by engaging juniors and arranging temporary promotion foe others. It may not be possible to continue this.