H.—l4.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER (TWENTY-FOURTH REPORT OF THE).

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

To His Excellency the Right Honourable George Vere Arundell, Viscount Galway, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Governor-General and Commander-m-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— As Acting-Commissioner under the Public Service Act, 1912, I have the honour to submit the following report as required by section 15 of the Act.

REPORT.

Although the previous Public Service Commissioner, Mr. P. Verschaffelt, C.M.G., LL.B., resigned as from the 30th June, 1935, no appointment to the position has yet been made. The report is therefore again being presented by an Acting-Commis-sioner, and is for this reason of a more or less formal nature, and does not feature or suggest any alterations. General Quinquennial Regrading. The delayed general regrading of the Service referred to in last annual report still awaits the necessary authority of an Order in Council. It is a work which cannot well be taken in hand until the permanent Commissioner has been appointed, as he will be the officer who will have to carry it through. I have suggested to Government that this should be considered a matter of urgency, as not only is it much overdue even if the circumstances had continued normal, but, in addition, the improvement in the financial situation during the last twelve months has justified greatly increased departmental activity, and this has involved not only additional staff but has in many cases increased the importance of classified positions. A genera) regrading is the most satisfactory method of giving full consideration to these conditions. I agree that the restoration of salaries should be the first consideration, but that has now to a large extent been effected, and it is understood full restoration will be accomplished very soon. I hope, and I know it is the hope of the Service, that the general regrading will be authorized in the near future. I—H. 14.