H.—l4.

1932. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER (TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command oj His Excellency.

To His Excellency the Eight Honourable Charles, Baron Bledisloe, Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— As Commissioner appointed under the Public Service Act, 1912, I have the honour to submit the following report, as required by section 15 of the Act.

KBPOBT. The Administration op the Public Service. During the past year, in common with other sections of the community, the Public Service has borne the strain of circumstances arising out of the economicdepression, and in consequence of these abnormal conditions the administrative problems have been greatly intensified. In normal times the routine of administration of the Public Service Act might briefly be described as the procedure necessary to ensure the efficient organization and staffing of State Departments ; and under this head are such matters as promotions, retirements, the filling of vacancies, inquiries involving disciplinary action, and investigations concerning details of departmental organization to ensure the efficient and economical administration of the Service as a composite whole ; but during the past year a greater amount of investigational work has been undertaken, both independently and in conjunction with official committees, in an endeavour to explore all possible avenues of economy and to consider means of dealing with problems arising out of the depression.

I—H. 14.