DISMISSAL OF PUBLIC SERVANTS.
A MATTER OF DIFFICULTY. (From Our Own Correspondent) Wellington, October 30. "It is extremely difficult for a public servant to get dismissed under any conditions," said an experienced officer in referring to one of the points raised in connection with the Solicitor-General's ruling on the subject of promotion. "The head of his Department cannot dispense with his services, and even the Public Service Commissioners do not appear to have summary powers. I don't think an instance could be quoted of a man being 'fixed' by tho Commissioners (apart from temporary hands) merely because he was not competent." The powers of the (Public Service Commissioners with regard to dismissals are stated in the Public Service Act as follows:
Clause 51.—Every officer shall be deemed to be a three-monthly servant, and removal by the Commissioner at any time after three month*' notice. Clause 52,—1f any officer permanently employed in the Public Service . . is inefficient or incompetent, and such inefficiency or incompetency appears to arise from causes within his own control, he shall be liable to dismissal or to such other punishment as may be determined upon.
The powers given under clause 51 are wide enough to meet any case that may arise, but enquiries made on the point showed that in one instance only have they been used by the Commissioners. Cases of alleged inefficiency are dealt with normally under clause 52, and it h admitted to be a fact that inefficiency, in itself, is not regarded as a ground for dismissal. Tlve officer is not penalised unless "such inefficiency or incompetency appears to arise from causes within ihis own control." • In any 'Case the verdict of the departmental head on the question of efficiency is.'not liual, since tlio officer concerned may demand an enquiry, and then, if the verdict is against him, may appeal to the Board of Appeal constituted under the Act.. Any officer may bo transferred by the head of his Department provided that his salary and status are r.ot changed; but bis salnry *nd status cannot' be 1 reduced by tho departmental head. •
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Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1916, Page 2
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349DISMISSAL OF PUBLIC SERVANTS. Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1916, Page 2
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