THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1929, Page 5

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

CAKJi AMD ECONOMY.

COMM ISSLONK IDS ANNUAL REPORT.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. “In recent years, the comple-ity of modern life has created a whole new range of c.vic and national problem.-,, cJiieti.v in conne-iion with licJtli, edcleat.on and social amenities, and any iruicif.ni or rcu'.ew of the cost of public administration must take these consider aiiou.s into a count,” stakes the annual report of the Public Service commissioner. The report adds that where the expansion of staff is the outcome of flu normal development of the country, coupled with the ever-im reusing de-

mand ior additional services, it is both

erroneous and unfair to ascribe the increased burden to extravagant administration. 'The public services of tins country are run efficiently and economically. There is plain reason for the presence of every person employed, and any curtailment of expenditure is not a matter of organisation, hut of Government policy, as it lies with the Government to determine whether it will discontinue or curtail services which time and experience have shown to be essential for the full development of the Dominion on a broad national basis.

Alter making allowance for reductions and increases to the staff during L.rn past financial year, there has been a net addition of 228 in the personnel of the public service. These increases have been mainly in departments wiiicli are giving expression to the Government policy by way of increased social services and the promotion of the development of the country. General administration costs have not increased social services and the promotion of the development of the country. General administration costs have not increased in proportion to the expansion of the total burden, for in 1.918-14 the expenditure under this head represented 15} per cent, of the total expenditure from the Consolidated Fund, and in 1228-29 general administration expenses amounted to only 7} per cent, of the total charges. These figures bear evidence of the care and economy exercised in matters pertaining to the general administration, and in any criticism of the growing burden on the Consolidated Fund it should be borne in mind that this is directly related to the ever-growing demand for increased governmental services, and that any curtailment is a matter of general policy rather than a question of “tightening up the slack” iu the general administration of the public service. A comparative statement of the salaries and personnel of the puhli.service shows that during the [ast decade the increase in the permanent staff has been 1-1-28, while the increase in salaries has been £808,251. Considering the expansion of public business in recent years, the growth in the staff in the public service proper has been kept down to a much closer degree than is generally realised. The greatest increase has been in connection with the extension of social services, the cost of which has increased from £2,123,815 hi 1913-14, to £6,292,930 in ]923-29. The cost of administration has not increased to anything like the same etent. as the expenditure under the other headings. In fifteen years it has risen from £882,060 in 1913 to £1.287.917 for the last financial year, while on adjusted figures it will be noted that actually there has been a decrease in cost per cap ta. the charge for general administration per capita being £1 3s 6cl in 1913-14, and 17s Sd in 1928-29. There lias undoubtedly been considerable growth in the public expenditure when such term includes expenditure by local authorities, but the inclusion of such figures in criticism of toe cost of administration of the public servi e rather confuses the issue, as the control of such expenditure does not rest with the Ministers in charge of departments and other State officials who are responsible for the economical administration of the publicservice. The extent of the expansion of activities by local authorities mav be gauged from the fact that in 1919 the amount paid in salaries and wages to the employees of 10-uil author!tie" was £2,172.668, and in 1023 it had grown to £6,176.856. r lhe amount paid in salaries to officers subject to the provisions of the Public Service Act. was £1,431,720 in 1919 and £2.239,971 in 1929. a considerably lower ratio of increase. Although on account of the fundamental differences in policy between State undertakings and private business, the relative efficiency cannot he bulged entirely on a profit and loss Basis, it can he claimed Hat the standard of intelligence of staffs, and the effi unify ol methods employed in toe public service compares very favourably with oiitsdo stand a rdf*. The last regrading took pla'-° in 1924 and another general re-grading is now engaging attention.