MR. J. C. GILRUTH’S PROPOSED DEPARTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2256, 30 July 1908, Page 2

MR. J. C. GILRUTH’S PROPOSED DEPARTURE.

NEW ZEALAND’S LOSS AUSTRALIA’S GAIN.

(Special to “Times.”)

WELLINGTON, July 28. It has boon generally understood hero for some time .past Hint tho Dominion was likely to lose tho services of ..Mr Gilruth. The .matter was referred to in Parliament the other evening; hut the Minister for Agriculture did not seem to he mvaro of the .position. To-day the Hon. Mr McNah stated that Mr Gilruth had not communicated with him and ho hn<l no knowledge of the .appointment as cabled from Melbourne. Mr Gilrutli states that arrangements in regard to the .matter have .not been quite completed. -The position had been offered to 'him some time ago. The position is tho Erst of the kind to he established in Victoria. Previously the Institute had been under private control; in future .it is to be under the control of the 'Melbourne University; hub will he subsidised by the Government. So far nothing definite has been laid down in regard to tho position and .before the institute can lie got. into full working order a good deal of organising work will have to he done. Mr Gilrutli’s abilities as an organiser are well-known. His Now Zealand staff has 'been wellorganised and those under him have had absolute confidence in his administration. The present appointment conies t 0 Mr Gilruth absolutely unsought, hut tin any case ho was not likely to remain in New Zealand much longer .under .present conditions. As a .matter of fact it has been .known for some time .past that an equally important position in great Britain has boon under offer to Mr Gilruth, a position that would have involved research work in various parts of the world. Four years ago, also, the Imperial Government cabled to tho New Zealand Government asking that Mr Gilruth should be allowed to take tho position of head of the Veterinary Department in the Transvaal, at a salary very largely in advince of that he avas getting in New 'Zealand. He was to take up the position -vacated by the Transvaal officer, who was appointed Chief Veterinarian for Great Britain. Tile cablegram offering-the appointment was, however, kept back from Mr Gilruth and be did not know if it until too late. It is possible hit because of this action on the part of the Government Mr Gilruth may have a claim .for compensation. The new position to which M>r Gilnith has been appointed will involve a good deal of research work in the laboratory and lectures to students. Mr Gilruth is tho son of a Forfarshire farmer and took his degree in tho Old Country. Ho Ilias also studied in tho Pasteur Institute on three occasions. His mother wins a ircmarkable woman, with literary talent much above the ordinary. She was a great .personal friend of Professor Blackie and until the day of his death, 'maintained a friendly correspondence with Carlyle. Indeed, she corresponded with many of tho most notable men and women of hor day. iMr Gilruth says he is extremely sorry to leave New Zealand, .in which country lie lias spent fifteen years of his life and has made many warm friends. It is admitted on all hands that Australia’s gain is New Zealand’s loss. The position he vacates will most probably be offered to Mr Reakcs,his second in command, who is now on .a visit to the Old World. Mr Peakes lias previously acted as head of the Department in Air Gilruth’s absence from New Zealand.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. During tbo discussion on the Imprest Supply Bill in tho House tonight Air Massey again referred to the dissatisfaction that existed amongst departmental officers and to the fact that no special efforts appeared to (have been .made to retain the services of valuable officers. Ho referred to the fact that the colony was now losing the services of Mir Gilrutli, who bad secured an important position in Australia. Air AfcNab, in reply, said lliat up to' tlie present moment Air Gilrutli had not communicated to him the fact that he Iliad another position offered to him. “Of course,” added Air AlcNab, “I know everything that has gone on ; but I got it from the man in tho stroet. Till that officer, has communicated with me as to what his intentions are, nothing will he done in regard to that office. There is no man in this country (and no man in this assembly that can’t be done without. Anyone who works on the assumption that be can’t be done without and that the Department will run after him, should" know that itbe condition of things at tlie present time is-not such that the Government would endorse unv action of that kind.”

Mr '.Herries criticised the methods of the .-Minister as revealed by the statement just made 'by (him. If the head of a mercantile house heard that a -numher of ill is clerks avere intending to leave lie would ask the head of the .]»iirtieular department in which they were employed, to make enquiries as to the cause. Evidently the Minister shut himself up and did not keep in touch with the beads of the departments, but waited until the things that lie knew were likely to happen did actually occur. It ‘ was well-known -that the veterinary surgeons who were brought out from England were dissatisfied with their salaries and -the matter had been mentioned yean- after year when the Estimates came down. Tho present Minister's predecessor kneiv that there was this dissatisfaction. He (Mr Herries) earnestly hoped that increases would bo provided -for on the supplementary estimates, but he thought that if that were intended -the Minister might have the fact circulated through tho Department so as to allay the dissatisfaction. By not Adopting that method be had lost the services of valuable officers. If he (Mr Herries) bad been Minister and had seen suoli a paragraph as that relating to Mr Gilrutli, lie would have sent for him at once, hut the Minister seemed to shut himself up like la hermit an his coll and to refuse to know anything of what was going oil. WELLINGTON, July 29. Referring to Mr. Gilruth’s intended resignation, to-night’s “Post” says:—The rumors of which the Minister of Agriculture professed official ignorance - when questioned on the subject in the House last week has unfortunately proved ‘ true. New Zealand is to lost Mr. Gilrutli, one of the ablest of her public servants, and the feeling to-day is that of universal regret wherever his eminent scientific attainments, liis splendid practical service to our farmers, and his vigorous hut genial personality are known. Mr. McNab repudiated yesterday the idea that ho should go cap in hand through his Departments imploring his officers not- to leave, hut are there no other means? Was it reasonable to expect to retain a man of Mr. Gilrutli’s attainments permanently' at a salary less than what the. Victorian Government had offered him And was a man of such energy given that amount of initiative and independence in his administration which is as necessary for a strong man as an adequate salary? Mr. Gilrutli is unfortunately gone bevond recall, hut the timely consideration of these questions may prevent other prominent public servants from going the same way.