The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880. THE REPORT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 269, 26 June 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880. THE REPORT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

Ab the Civil Service Commissioners' report seems to have met with the approval of most people, we may be txcused for again referring to it. As is now well known, the report refers entirely to the Railway Department. A proposition is contained in it to cut down the salaries of all railway employes per cent. This would be an unjust and pmvise proceeding ior any Government to enter upon. If this proposition was applied to the high salaried officials, we would say nothing against it ; but to reduce the pay of men who have less wages than a day laborer, and who hold the lives of thousands in their hands, would be a suicidal policy. We have ever advocated an efficient ]/olice force as being necessary for the protection or life and property ; so also are our I.artwork ed, middle grade railway servants—a class of men, above all men, who must be steady, sober, and sharp ; mon who need to have a hearty interest in their work. As the Commission has come down rather heavy upon the Middle Island officials, we have taken pains to find out how they are paid. On the various lines and branches we find that the daily wage ol engine-drivers is from lis to 13s ; guards—first class, 9s 4;1; second class, 9s 9d ; third clasß, 8e 4d. Taking the highest wage—that of ngine drivers—the weekly pay does not exceed that of an ordinary blacksmith or builder Yet these men's lives are in jeopardy every hour of the day. aHd if ;hey wish to make provision for their wife and family by insuring their lives, they pay a premium more than double of thai paid by an ordinary workman. Then, again, it is well known that any of these men could, by carelessness and indifference, do more dam tgn at any moment than a year's salary would caver. Surely, then, it is t. e best principle to have good men, and to pay them well. Taking the most reasonable view of the case possible, it will be seen that a man who can earn from 10s to 12s for a day's work of eight hours, and then go home to his wife nnd family relieved of every reß| onsibility, is far better paid than our railway engine drivers, who are on duty all hours, and have to keep cagle-fyed watchfulness over all around thorn, lest destruction and death should overtake them and their valuable charge. We do hope that if any changes are made, it will be advancement, instead of reductioivof their wages. T.ike, case of our railway guards. What cure (as Paul said of the churches) what watchfulness, what fear, yea, what monnntjry dangers they are exposed to, as they from day to d«y fjo the same journey, with the same responsibility banging over them. Is 8s or 9s too much to give these men for all this risk, dai.-

ger, and responsibility ? We think not. Wcadvise advttKwment iusWado: reduction, mid think that the best men should be secured, for if you want to keep a good servant you must pay him well. The railway service is such that we must have the best of everything. If a blacksmith or a builder gets dr nk at his work, he ?an only do himself harm ; but were a railway servant to do such a thing he incurs instant dismissal, and propeilyso. If, then, we must hare active, vigilant, clear-sighted, and clearheaded men, let us pay them well, and make it worth their while to keep in die service, and to take an interest in their wo k. Another feature in the guard's service is that-of being useful assistants to the police in detecting erinv and criminals. V T e have it on good authority that the guards havedone a large amount of goad in this way. Th'ir keen eye passing over every passenger enables them to take a modi-!, so to speak, of every countenance, and to :imik not only their every movement, Hit to take stock of their whole demeanor. To do miy good, however,, t ey must possess a wise head and a close mouth. Shall we, then, ciiseiit to v deduction frc-m the already underpaid set vices of such valuable men? Certain!/ n<»t. This is not the class that sponges upon the country. If we must cut d .wn—and there is room for i' let it be with the higher grades. Let us turn to the higher JEnginetmg a iid Purveying Departments, and there apply the pruning knife unsparingly. Thou sands of pounds might be Baved in this way for shillings that would be saved in the other, and the efficiency of the public service would not be impaired.

The universal opinion is that Mr Conyers is incaj able of fulfilling the office lie holds.. We have heard competent judges express an opinion to that effect, long hefore the Commission was thought of, and reato. s given for the same. Others, loubt'ess, are as incapable, but their names are not brought so prominently before the public. We hope that, now the Commission has gone so far, there will lie no attempt made to burk the question. Re.renchment must be now studied by every Government. The high salaried men should have their salaries considerably reduced, or they should, by an amalgamation ot offices, be dimissed. A reduction in the wages of working men or a thinning of their ranks, would not considerably reduce the expenditure, and would swell the ranks of the unemployed who would have to seek nt»w homes in another colony. We would not liice to see that, and think the best thing for the Government to do would be to open up the lands for settlement on more liberal terms than those hitherto offered. This however is not in accordance with the views of the Minister for Lands, who has no idea of breaking up the Crown lands for such a purpose. Public opinion, though, will compel him to give way in this as it did in the caso of Triennial Parliaments and the ex> nsion of the franchise.