PUBLIC SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1931, Page 2

PUBLIC SERVICE

NO POSITIONS FOB BOVS AND

GIRLS

OFFICIA Li STATEMENT

"WELLINGTON, January 28

A definite indication of th-j. Government’s intentio to economise in the staffing of -State Departments was contained in a statement by the PiildmService Commissioner, Air P. I). N. Vc-rsechaffelt, to-day, that it was unlikely that one ot the 1265 boys and girls who had this year passed the Public Service entrance- examination would be able to find a position in the Government service. This also applied to secondary school pupils who had passed the matriculation examination, and it is pointed out that even they will have no chance of stepping into openings, in spite of the- fact that, in the ordinary course of events they would take preference. It was stated officially that the policy at the moment was not to take any hoys into the Public Service at all, except to fill vacancies, although a vacancy would not lie filled if this could tie avoided. There was no immediate prospect of boys being taken into the service, especially in view of the fact that there were about 100 available

from the Railways Department, and that these were being drafted into positions as they occurred,

NO WASTAGE AT PRESENT

A few years ago the Public Service absorbed between 500 and 600 boys and girls each year, but the annual wastage amounted to about 20 per cent of the total taken on. This wastage

was not occurring at present, for the reason that no positions were offering outside the service, It was not unusual for a large number of hoys to leave the- service, and enter upon legal work shortly after they had received their positions). In many instances they were brought into contact with members of the legal profession, and it often happened that the best of those

employed at the beginning of a year were enticed to enter legal offices by offers of from £1 to £2- a week mere l than they wei'o receiving in the employ of the Government. At a result of the present depression, it was stated to be natural that there should not he the same proportion of wastage in the Public Service. These boys who entered the service wore only too pleased to stay in their positions, knowing that they bad little or no chance of jobs elsewhere. Certain vacancies had to be filled ; but it- was not the present policy to take on anyone from outside the Service. UNIVERSITY MEN APPLY.

Apart from 1265 who passed the Public Service Entrance Examination, hundreds who have passed matriculation or wlm have obtained higher leaving certificates will also he affected by the inability of the State to offer them employment this year. It is a sign of the times that the Public Service Commissioner is receiving applications for positions in the Service as cadets from young men who have sections of University degrees. They are willing to start at an annual salary of £BO. to which would be added £35 in the first year, if the successful applicant had to live a wav from home.