Control of Public Service

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1922, Page 3

Control of Public Service

“WEAKENING THE NON-POLITI-CAL SYSTEM.”

WELLINGTON, March 9

In n'n editorial on “Control of the Public Service,” the official organ of tho Public. Service Association has the following:—“We cannot, however, rest content to throw the whole of the Maine on individual members of Parliament so long a.s the Government continues to weaken the non-political system in so many little ways, and continues to deny to the commissioner those legislative powers which he needs in order that he may en/rry out the duties of hisi office effectively. This shearing-off a bit now and again, and the implied distrust of the system by tile denial of proper powers. is an added incentive to tbe, opponents of non-political control, and tbe mntter has reached the stage when it is reasonable to ask the Covernment for a. straight-out declaration of its intentions. Actions, hints, and rumours have aroused a. strong suspicion that legislation next session* will weaken, instead of strengthen, the present system, and so leave it at the mercy of the political wolves. Tt is up to every member of the association who is alive to his or her interests to give this question seriouos consideration, so that we may be prepared, when Parliament meets, to resist any further attack on those interests. Tn the meantime, we are not without hope that the Prime Minister may he induced to express in definite, terms what is the intention of flic (Government in regard to the amend ment of the Public Service Act.”