The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880. THE REPORT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 269, 24 June 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880. THE REPORT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

N 6 one can be surprised at the result of the enquiry into the Civil Service operations . The only wonder is, that a stop was not put to the bungling and waste on in the Service long ago. This branch of the Civil Service has Ion:* been known as a field for waste sufficient to -ruin any country in the world. Mr Conyers, Manager of Railways in the Middle Island, is a practical man, and knows how to repair any damage done to the machinery in the railway department, but perhaps a little more. As a

ule, working men have not the capacity for managing large business .natters, because they have been moving in too narrow a groove. Thie, we think, will be.found to be the main cause of Mr Conyers' non-success as a manager more than evil intention. It is a provoking thing to have such waste going on when every company ami individual, from the Premier downwards, have their heads nearly turned in working out schemes to save themselves and their country from bankruptcy. Few can have sympathy with men who were tal«n from the work-shop, and pitchforked into the company of their betters, and who abuse their privileges. Yet it is a fact tliat the most needy, when placed in possession of abundant means, do not know how to use them. Such will bo found to be the case with not only one, but many, of our over-paid Government officers. The Civil Service of New Zealand has long been a by-word and a mockery. We see crowds of men jostling one another, and using the most disgusting epithets, yet paid a handsome salary, because they have relations who have influence, which the Government cannot afford to despise. There may bo a question whether or not the Civil Service Commission havs been free from prejudice when making out a case against some individuals. The tenor of

the »oport would lead one to believe they were not, but there is no denying that conceit of office and red tapeism is so predom'nant overall other considerations that economical working is entirely lost siyht of. Too many masters oftin ruin a good business. Tiiis seems to be the case with the railway management Go-, vernment may try to remedy the evil, but this does not prove that a change for the better will result. Government may do what their predecessors would have done had they remained in offci—viz., make a reduction hero and there ; but we think that no economical working of our railways will ever be accomplished by any Government. liiis leads us to repeat our assertion that the best thing would be to sell the railways. By doing so, it may be at a sacrifice, as it cannot be denied that they are a valuable property ; nor can any person well deny that any company that holds the railways would possess a powerful engine for good or evil in New Zealand. It is now a question whether or not the whole should be sold, and the money used in clearing off our debts, and reducing the heavy aunual interests incurred. It is not just to build up a large monopoly to be held byGovernment in trust for future generations at a cost of suffering and sorrow almost unbearable by the present generation. We once heard a person remark—'• If we, alter walking almost all our lives in the mud, now make iron roads for our descendants to travel upon, let them pay for them." The present generation is snffering and have suffered through the expenditure of their money. It is not unreasonable, therefore, that they should ask to be relieved of their burdens. If a company were to be formed to take over the railways, they would soon manage to stop the waste and make them pay. The returns are rufficient to give a good dividend, and the public would be better served than they are now, for the very reason tha it would not pay to do otherwise. T. e uncertain tenure of office of Constitutici.al Governmen s makes it almost impossibl to carry out retrencutnent to an extent to do much good. Either party may try to remedy the evil, but they are unable to do any good. What, then, is to be done to makij our railways pny ? Reduce th j expenditure is the lvmedy—to raise the charges would be a sui_ cidal policy.