Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880. THE RETRENCHMENT MANIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 12, 12 October 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880. THE RETRENCHMENT MANIA.

The air is full of rumors regarding the intentions of the Government arising from the retrenchment mania. One is that the Foxton Custom house is to be closed, another that the Besident Magistrate for Manawatu and Bangitikei is to be abolished and the duties laid upon Mr Hardoastle, of Wanganui; that as a part of this scheme, the Clerks of Court at Marton, Foxton, and Palmerston are to be abolished, all Courts being held at Feilding, where the Clerk of Court will reside. But little reliance is to

be placed upon these reports, which are doubtless in many cases the off-' spring of highly inventive minds. Nevertheless, such a manin appears to have taken possession of the Government upon this retrenchment business, that we shall not be surprised at anything they may do while the " craze " is upon them.

That retrenchment was necessary, both in the number and salaries of the Civil Service, was admitted on all sides. With characteristic timidity, the Government appointed a Civil Service Commission, consisting of J Messrs Saunders, Pharazyn, Kelly, and R. Douglas, to act as a " buffer" between the Ministry and public opinion. The Commission's report, instead ot dealing with the whole service, was found to be almost exclusively devoted to the Railway Department. Against that department specific charges were made, and recommendations offered as to how it should be managed in future. But as regards the other departments, the Commission simply reported in general terms what everybody else knew, and frankly acknowledged they had been unable to make such an examination as would enable them *o report specifically. Retrenchment was therefore left in the hands of the Government to be carried out, and they are apparently working without discretion or fairness. In the Police Department, a large number of the very best men in the Colony are being peremptorily dismissed, and any Government which would discharge men of the stamp of Inspector Mallard or Sub-Inspec-tor Goodall, because of " a craze," are most unqualified for the posts they hold. No one will deny that for some time past the various branches of the Civil Sexvice have been overmanned, but in dispensing with superfluous men the great object should be ro prevent worthy officers from suffering through their past efficiency. What we mean is this. Suppose that ten years ago three men joined the Colonial Police Force. Of the three one is now a sub-inspec* tor, the other two a sergeant and constable respectively. According to the present action of the Government, one mau is summarily dispensed with because he is a sub-inspector, while the others, who hold subordinate positions, are retained. Now, why is that man a sub-inspector ? The only answer is that by his efficiency and general fitness he has gained the promotion ; so that after all, th.3 man's faithful service, good conduct, and general ability are the means of his ejectment from the service, while the man who did no*, receive promotion because he did did not deserve it, rei tains his billet ! We have selected our illustration from the Police Force as die nearest to our hand. The same view, however, will apply to the whole service, whether as regards Resident Magistrates, Clerks of Cours, Collectors of Customs, Postmasters, or any other Government servants.

We have in our mind's eye men in this and other parts of the Colony, who have by zealous service through a long series of years worked themselves up fco honorable positions in the Civil Service ; who are now positively unfitted for other occupations, and whom it would be outrageous on the part of the Government to suddenly send about their busiuess. Yet if the Government intend to carry out the method of retrenchment they have inaugurated, it is "toss and go " with them. The present "craze" will have a most demoralising effect upon the Civil Service, as men wilLprefer low positions to promotion, and will regard their tenure as so uncertain that they will gladly quit it once and for evei directly an opportunity piesents of bettering themselves in private life. Gray, the poet, said " The paths of glory lead but to the grave," and begging his pardon, we may say, " The paths of promotion in the New Zealand Civil Service have led but to dismissal." As a matter of plain justice, the Government should offer to each man who has risen through good con duct and long service, and whom they have to dispense with, the opportuuity of taking the next rank lower, so that it may not be said good men are dismissed because (heir abilities and conduct have gained promotion

But looking at the question in the light of the public convenience, it is doubtful if the Government are not carrying this mania so far as to injure the efficiency of the publio service. The object of the Civil Service is to carry on the public business efficiently, and with convenience to the public. Assuming the rumour regarding magisterial arrangements in this district to be true, could any but a Cabinet Minister suppose the Wanganui Magistrate sitting at Feilding could transact the Court business of Manawatu, especially so inexperienced a Magistrate as Mr Edward Hardcastle, who only about three and a-half years ago was Registrar at Hokitika ? The idea is absurd. Litigants would in some cases be waiting at the .Court for days, and in the end people would find it cheaper to submit to the most monstrous injustices, rather than appeal to the Court Thus, in a very shoit time, the country would lose in revenue more than it would gain by dispensing with the Kesident Magistrate's services. The same remarks would apply to other of the public service. Efficiency and public convenience are the first things to be studied, and if these are lost sight

of, the very objects for which the Civil Service exists are neutalised. The mania of the Government for, retrenchment will most probably lead to disorganisation of the departments, demoralisation of tho men, and confusion to tho public. A reaction will probably be the .result. It is madness to suppose such wholesale alterations rs are contemplated can have any other results. The work of outting down tho Civil Service is one that needs more judgment and discretion thao the Ministry have shown themselves possessed of. It is to be hoped, however, that their " erase" will stop at the Police Department, though we are doubtful.