THE CIVIL SERVICE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5456, 21 September 1878, Page 2

THE CIVIL SERVICE.

TO THE EDITOR Of THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,—During the time of the s.-saion of Parliament, and -when the House in committee is discussing tire Estimates, I am inclined to think that a few lines from your valuable pen might have the effect of improving the position of some of our civil servants. Doubtless there are some who receive “screws” far exceeding the value of the work performed, but there are others who have hard struggles to live upon their salaries. I allude, in particular, to tire Post Office and Telegraph Departments, the officers of which are the hardest worked and worst paid of any Government officials. In the latter. the operators have very important and responsible duties to perform, and any neglect on their part would subject them to severe reprimand or immediate dismissal. I know, of my own knowledge, young men who have been between seven and eight years in the department, have qualified themselves as efficient operators, and yet,-after that length of service, are only allowed from £IOO to £lO5 per annum. These youim men, ranging in ages from twenty-one to twentyfonr years, get disgusted. Many have left within the last few mouths for better fields of success in life, and many others intend leaving unless the Government give them more adequate remuneration for their services. Can anyone, even Ministers themselves, blame these employes, just rising into manhood, and thinking, probably, of taking unto themselves wives, for expecting a “fair rate of wages for fair work done.” It is miserable economy to pay your servants badly, and there can be no contradiction to the fact that the officers of the Telegraph and Post Office are inadequately paid for the services they are required to render. If Parliament will not sanction some amelioration of the pecuniary state of these officials, lam induced to' believe that the services and experience of many of them will be utterly lost to the Government.—l am, &c., No Government Oiticial.