Public Service Corruption

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1921, Page 1

Public Service Corruption

WIDESPREAD IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, April 26

Nothing is more likely to impress the intelligent observer of Australian affairs than the frequency and regularity with which scandals are exposed under circumstances which indicate corruption within the public services.

Owing to the extent to which ' the State enters into enterprises of all descriptions, the public services of this country are very heavily staffed; and it would appear as if it were imposjsible to entrust the spending of large sums of public money to certain classes of these men. If theft does not actually occur, it is certain that a proportion of the money sticks to the fingers which handle it, generally in the form of “rake-offs” and secret commissions. The whole commercial morality of this country, but more particularly ol Sydney, is vitiated by the secret commission. It is a notorious fact that one cannot get any service quickly and satisfactorily performed unless there is a liberal amount of secret palm-greas-ing done. Everyone expects his little rake-off, whether it is the sleeping-car conductor who can give you an upper or a lower, and who can find exactly what you want when you stir him up with a florin, or whether it is the £IOOO a year public servant, who can influence a contract for you. The evidence of this unfortunate condition of affairs may be found in the innumerable enquiries of an official character which have to be made whenever scandals are uncovered. There were two recently. The wheat harvests, for years past, have been controlled by “Pools” controlled by members of the public service. A shocking condition of affairs was discovered a year or two ago in New South Wales, when it was found that certain gentlemen had greatly enriched themselves through their association with the wheat pool. However, no one \qns brought to justice, because at the psychological moment the kingpin *f the organisation went mad, and has remained mad ever since. Then came the soldiers’ settlement enquiry. A Royal Commission is to-day settling down to enquire into a number of most disturbing allegations about Cockatoo Island Dockyard. There appear to have been wholesale thefts of material from the island, and a most extraordinary system of keeping accounts.

’ This week, allegations have been made pointing to huge swindles in connexion with the Government system of building homes for soldiers, and when the thing is further probed, the same old get-rich-quick enterprise will probably he discovered.