EFFICIENCY FIRST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 1

EFFICIENCY FIRST

Railways and Public Service LEGISLATION BEFORE PARLIAMENT

EFFICIENCY and more drastic disciplinary powers are the objects of two Bills now before the House of Representatives dealing with the control of the Public Service and the staffing of the New Zealand Railways. Provision is made for changes in the methods of making appointments in the various Government departments.

(THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. TTNDER the provisions of the Government Railways Amendment Bill introduced last evening, appointments to the department, carrying over £765 annually in salary, are to be made by the Governor-General, and every other appointment is to be made by the Minister. It is proposed that officers of other departments may be transferred to the railways. The Bill largely provides for the execution of the recommendations of the Grading Committee, under which all positions were made vacant, and power is taken to transfer men within the service to positions made vacant or new positions created. Where there is more than one applicant for a position within the department, efficiency and suitability will receive preference, though in the event of equal ability seniority will prevail. Right of appeal is provided for and appointments are provisional till all appeals are disposed of, power of concellation of appointment is given the appointing authority. The next regrading of first division positions is proposed for 1929 and every five years thereafter the Appeal Board, comprising a chairman appointed by the Governor-General, departmental representative by the Minister, one from the first division and four from the second division, embracing workshops, locomotive running, traffic and maintenance branches, is established. Division members will confine sittings to appeals affecting their own divisions. Board members are to receive fees fixed by the Minister. A fine of £SO is provided for those endeavouring to influence the board. Power is given to the Minister to erect dwellinghouses on land held for railway purposes, and to sell them to members of the department. The Bill was sent to the Railway Committee. SPECIALISTS’ JOBS TRANSFER OFFICERS ALL DEPARTMENTS IN LINE {THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. Efficiency, and not seniority, will be the main factor in future promotions if the Public Service Amendment Bill introduced in the H.ouse of Representatives by Governor-General’s message late this evening is passed into law. A number of important provisions are made in the Bill which was briefly explained by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who said that it provided for bringing back into the public service of some officers who had been exempted, such as Ministers’ private secretaries, and permitted the transfer of officers from one branch of the service to another. This will permit the placing of men who are really specialists in jobs they are best fitted for. Another clause provides for giving of statutory powers to deputy officers in the absence of departmental heads. All departments are brought, into line in connection with the appointment cf cadets and junior officers and appointments outside the-service are allowed for. Mr. H. E. Holland: W'hat w'ill the Public Service Association say to that? Mr. Coates: I couldn’t say. I think it favours the ,idea. The Prime Minister was not certain as to the view the association would take of the proposal for promotion. The Public Service Commissioner will decide in the first place, and he has the Appeal Board. Another important clause gives the department power to inquire into the private conduct of an officer if it is not

satisfactory, and the Commissioner may dispense with his services. In reply to Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. Coates said that it might be necessary to take the second reading of the Bill to-morrow, but he would certainly not take the committee stage until the association had had an opportunity of expressing its views. Other clauses make provision for the appointment of any person employed in the public service to any position under tho control of the commissioner, notwithstanding that he has not been under such control. There is to be no right of appeal from the regrading of positions on account, of increased work, but . if. the commissioner alters the grading of any office, or work, and assigns it to- an officer previously employed therein, any other officer is to have the same right of appeal as in the case of an appointment to a position for which applications have not been called. Transfers of officers from one branch' to ‘ apother are to be subject to appeal.. . In cases where complaints are made against .the conduct of officers for disobedience, oarelessness, insolence inefficiency, addiction to drink, or direct or indirect disclosure of information acquired during official duties, and such charge is admitted or proved, the commissioner may, subject to the right of appeal, caution the officer, deprive him. of. leave fine him by deduction from salary, reduce, his classification or salary, • transfer him to some other office, dismiss him from the service, or require him to-resign. At any inquiry held an officer may be represented by counsel. The personnel of the Appeal Board is increased tp four, two members to be appointed by. the Governor-General, one to be a public servant, and two to be elected by officers of the Public Service, but only one of the latter may sit. The present board will hold office for the remainder of the members’ term.