PATRONAGE ENDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 15

PATRONAGE ENDED

PUBLIC SERVICE SYSTEM DEFENDED CRITICISM IN COUNCIL (TIIE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The system of control of the public service was criticised by several members of the Legislative Council before passing the Public .Service Amendment Bill. Sir Robert Stout was of opinion that the present system of dealing with the civil service was not correct. He believed in the old system of control by Ministers. The office of the Public Service Commissioner with its staff meant an increase in expenditure probably of £ 7.000 of £B.OOO a year. Sir Francis Bell said the operation of control by the Public Service Commissioner had proved eminently successful and satisfactory, and had practically ended the system of political patronage that formerly existed. Regarding a suggestion that a stipendiary magistrate should be chairman of the Apoeal Board, Sir Francis said they were disposed to over-burden the magistracy with all kinds of odd jobs No permanent head of a department had been appointed by the Public Service Commissioner without consultation with the Minister concerned. I The Hon. V. H. Reed moved an amendment to provide that every permanent head Who may be hereafter ap- ! pointed shall he appointed by the Governor-General. I On a division the amendment was defeated by 22 votes to 8. I a second amendment moved by Mr. Reed providing that a stipendiary magistrate should be one of the two members of the Appeal Beard to be appointed by the Gov ei nor *' r ‘ r ; defeated on the voices without ! The Bill was n:p>.ttd -nit no tit amendment, read a third time and j passed.