THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 82, 29 November 1912, Page 8

THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.

THEIR SALARIES AXD SERVICE

The following gentleman have been appointed by the Government, as Public Service Commissioners under the Act passed last session:—Mr Donald Robertson, 1.5.0., Secretary of the Post (Mice, Chief Commissioner ; salary, £I3OO per annum. Mr Andrew Duncan Thomson, Stipendiary Magistrate, Assistant Commissioner ; salary, £IOOO per annum. Mr Robert Triggs, Chief Accountant,Commonwealth Post-master-General’s Department, Melbourne, Assistant Commissioner; salary, £IOOO per annum. Under the Act these Commissioners are appointed for a term of seven years, and are eligible for re-appoint-ment. Wide powers of administrative control are vested in these Commissioners, who may cause investigations to be made into the character of work performed by every officer in any department, with a view of ensuring a proper standard of efficiency in the Public Service. It is enacted that promotions are to be made according to merit and fitness, and every officer may be removed by the Commissioner at three months’ notice/ The Commissioner is also empowered to inquire into cases of alleged misconduct, and to punish if the offence is proved. The Commissioner may be suspended by the Governor for misbehaviour or incompetence, and removed from office by resolution of the House.

On the recommendation of the Commissioner the Governor-in-Council may suspend or remove from office the Assistant Commissioners, or either of them, and the Commissioner or an Assistant Commissioner, will be deemed to have vacated his office if he; (a) Engages in any paid employment or any business outside the duties of his office; (b) becomes bankrupt, compounds with his creditors, or makes an assignment of his salary for their benefit; (c) absents himself from duty for a period of fourteen consecutive days, except on leave granted by the Govenor, or becomes incapable of performing his duties; (d) resigns his office.

A stringent provision has been made against seeking to influence the Commissioners in regard to appointments, promotions, or increases of salary. '