A CRITICISED APPOINTMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 238, 13 February 1911, Page 4

A CRITICISED APPOINTMENT

STATEMENT BY HON. J. A. MILLAR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, February 10. The attention of tile .Minister of Railways was drawn to-night to the publication of a statement by the Railway Officers' Advocate criticising tile appointment of Mr. Millar's son as assistant electrician and draughtsman iu the railway service. In reply the lion. Mr. Millar said the creation of tlie new office was made some months ago, on the recommendation of the officer iu charge of that particular department, who stated that he required an assistant. I was advisea to send to the Old Country for a man, a salary of C4OO being mentioned. On the recommendation of the officer of the department, my son, who is an associate of the Society of Electrical Engineers, and who has gone through both theoretical and practical courses, was recommended for appointment, not at my request, as I never asked or wrote or suggested it. The recommendation came along to me that he was qualified for the position. 1 was informed that there was no other man ill the service with the qualifications necessary. 1 certainly think it better where appointments "are to be filled, and wjiere we have New ZenJand-horn youths.who have the qualifications, that they ofight to get preference, irrespective of whoso son it may he. If the fact of my being a Minister of the Crovvij is going to debar my children from Ithe ordinary avenues of employ- J ment open to every other person in Xew Zealand, I am not going to stand in their way bv remaining Minister.