INQUIRY NEEDED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 6

INQUIRY NEEDED

We bave never yet been told exact* ly what order of reference was given to two gentlemen recently ‘ appointed to make some investigations into the work and administration of the Public Trust Office. There is a shrewd suspicion that “Reform” is seeking some excuse to restore lost emoluments to the legal profession at the expense of the public. Be that as it may, the Commissioners might reasonably devote some attention to the, staffing of the Office and the rate of payment. The Wellington branch is said to bo seriously undermanned, with the result that a great deal of overtime is forced on to the men. Their time to study for examinations necessary to qualify for promotion is thus severely encroached upon, to the permanent detriment of the victims. But the worst phase of tho matter is that very little of the overtime is paid for, while tho average salary is less than £l5O a year. In tho last twelve months, it is estimated that the staff gave onethird of its services for nothing. Just now all hands are called for duty each evening because a small number have to go into camp from next Friday te the end of tho following week. There is absolutely no pay for this except an allowance for “tea money.” Clearly no set of men will stand such treatment very long without complaining, and we know that there is considerable discontent. This does not_ conduce to good service, to begin with. Apart from that, it is grossly improper to expect people to work for nothing. If those men were in private employment they would demand, and tho employer would bo compelled to pay, overtime rates according to an award. We do not believe tho people of Now Zealand desire any of their pub ho work to ho performed except for adequate payment, nor was it ever contemplated that tho military training system would involve such injustice as appears to bo practised m the Public Trust Office. Perhaps tho Government will take some steps in this matter. Perhaps, on the other hand, Ministers will be merely amused.