PUBLIC WORKS REFORM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 47, 1 July 1913, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS REFORM.

Speaking of the programme for tin coming session Wellington's "Even ing Post" says: The Government grapled manfully with the reform oi the Public Service last session, am the only fault to be found with tin non-political Public Service Boart which came into office at the beginnin; of the year is that its jurisdiction doe not cover the whole of the Service But in the indictment preferred b; the "Reform" "Party against tic ''spoils system," Public Works wer< given priority to the Public Service and properly so. Reform of tin Public Works administration is reall; the more urgent ami the more difiicul' problem of the two, and we there regret to detect a note of "taihoa' in the Premier's latest reference t< the subject. A comprehensive mea sure of local government which wouh effect this reform by substituting lo cal responsibility for. Ministerial fa vor in the financing of purely loca works was out of the question las session, lint the Financial Statement definitely promised an instalment oi reform which would deal with tin financial aspect of the question, an' effect an immediate reduction in tin roads-antl-bridges votes on the Publi' Works Estimates. It is not to '" wondered at that even this promis' proved impossible of fulfilment in th'< rush of last session's business, bu it will be a matter for disappointmen and for something-worse if such a inea sure- is not passed tills session, am the necessary preparation imade foi the passing of a Local Government Bill next year which will abolish tin present demoralising system, and pu' the whole busines on a permanent and satisfactory footing.-