CIVIL SERVICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3205, 3 June 1909, Page 5

CIVIL SERVICE.

THE RETRENCHMENT SCHEME. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 2. So far as could be gathered by a "Herald" representative yesterday, the pruning knife has not yet been exercised to any great extent in Auckland in connection with the Government's retrenchment scheme. One or two of the officers in several of the departments haV3 received notice that their services Will not be required after three months from date, but that is all. Everyone, however, is in a "state of expectancy." This "state of expectancy," which has already lasted for many months, is, the local officials say, noff getting on their nerves! and the great majority of them will not be at all sorry when the intentions of the Government are announced. One official said:—"We have all been kept in a state of expectancy for suchj a long time now that we are getting heartily sick of it. We all wish the misery of the waiting was over. By knowing the prospect of 'the shock' hanging over our heads the efficiency of the department is being seriously interfered with. Men when they feel that they might any day now get three months' notice let things drift, and so the work, and consequently the public, suffer." Another officer declared that they were all feeling "very sick of it," and he hoped that "it would soon be over." In one or two departments it is considered that no retrenchment will be made. Ihis applies particularly to the Auckland Crown Lands Department, which, it is stated, is understaffed at present. It is expected that several of the older officers who have reached the age limit will be retired, and that they will be replaced by younger men from the South.