CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10311, 11 August 1911, Page 4

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

IMr A. L. Herdman introduced a Civil Service Reform Bill an the House.'of Representatives yesterday, by which he proposes to place the Civil Service under a Board of Commissioners. -The ;stonm of protest which the measure evoked from Grpveirnanent supporters, is the strongest possible argument in favour of the Bill, t One ■Government apologist went .so far as to .suggest that members should .not surrender their privileges. Herein, lies the crux of the whole question. Under existing conditions -it is the privilege of members to pack the Civil Sea-vice -with their, friends. That such a condition of things is possible is> a disgrace to the community. The highest positions in. the Civil Service should be open to the best brain® the country possessep. There should be no such thing as .political influence. The seething discontent which exists in the public (service to-day is evidence, of the existence of a "isfcate of things which is intolerable. If a Vote of the Civil .Servants nvefe, | taken to-morrow, ■ the' ~ system., of. j political cringing ._ and cram-fling I -would be unanimously condemroed. The present Government, which claims to have one-seventh of the I whole population, in its clutches, will . find a defiance of the wishes of the people a very costly matter.