THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2467, 3 April 1909, Page 5

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

SCHEME OF RE-ORGANISATION.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY SIR JOSEPH WARD.

(Special to “Times.”)

UPPER HUTT, April 2. The Prime Minister ,tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at Upper Hutt to-night, gave an important and comprehensive statement of the reorganisation now being carried'out in the Public Service. He said: As is generally known, the Government has been busily engaged for some time in reviewing the position of the public services throughout the Dominion; and it is my duty to-night to indicate some important changes which it is intended to effect at an early date. I should like, iu the first place, to express my strong conviction of the faithful services rendered by the officers and staffs of the various departments throughout the country. There must, in large services, necessarily bo some with whom, from time to time, fault can be found. Yet, on the whole, the country has reason to be proud of its public services; and anything affecting them requires to be approached with care, with judgment, and with a natural desire to inflict as little hardship as possible. I wish also to acknowledge publicly, on behalf of the people of tlio Dominion, my appreciation of the valuable work done by the officers who are being retired. They include some of the oldest of our civil servants, who are how going into private life after a long, strenuous, and highly honorable career. They are going without a blemish on their reputation, carrying with them the goodwill of all classes. One of the happiest features of the departure of these tried servants will long be remembered by me. I refer to the visits I have received from many of them in the Cabinet room during the last few days. I cannot, after many years of official association with them, feel other than 'regret for the cause, advancing age, winch is primarily responsible for some of the more important changes now being carried out. Apart from the retirements brought about by the age limit of 60 to 65 years and over, there are other important circumstances which call for readjustment .and reorganisation to a considerable extent in many of the departments. It is easy, of course,.for critics, without any responsibility, to declare that the departments have been overmanned during a long period of prosperity. A tendency in that direction naturally exists ; and practical men recognise it is virtually unavoidable. -The rapidly increasing business in the various branches of the public service calls, from time to time, for an increase in the number of employees to meet the extension caused by the growth of trade. This applies especially to some of tlie newer departments. The time has arriced when the public demand has been to a large extenet met, if not oversupplied. THE PUBLIC FINANCES. For instance, the consolidated revenue in 1903-4 was £7,021,386; and m 1907- it was £9,055,946, without any increase of taxation, because it must be remembered that the 25 .per cent, increase in the graduated, land tax vox* nosed last vear will come into force tins year for the. first time. Our revenue durhre a period of five years thus increased bv over two millions; and our expenditure during the same period rose from £6,434,281 to £8,213,96a, an increase in round figures of £I,SOO,CQO; and. the excess of revenue over expenditure for 1907-8 was £841,981. Since then the effect of remissions of taxation has amounted to .about L-xJU.UUU, so that it is obvious that, with the lai go remissions of taxation that have been made, we oanot expect to have such a large balance available for contribution to the .Public Works Fund as in the past. As to the j’eai 1908- the whole of tlie figures are not vet available, but we must necessanlj expect .a largely reduced balance to carry forward to the coming year. In view of the fact that wo have a reduced revenue caused largely by remission ot taxation, and that we have paid during the past year £BOO,OOO out of revenue to the Public Works Fund, our balance must necessarily be smaller, but 1 am glad to say that as far as I can judge at- present, the estimate given by me in my budget last session will be realised. As I propose to speak on financial matters and policy questions when i am in possesion of the fuller results of the financial year, I will say nothing further under this head at present. Why I feel that it is necessary that we ’should examine the general position of the public services is largely due to the fact that our expenditure m tlie past year lias risen considerably, and that there is a known shrinkage m the revenue. Therefore it is desirable, m mv opinion, to see that tlie basis of our financial structure, public and private, should be erected and maintained as strong as it was prior to any remission of taxation or the operation of any other causes that may temporarily interfere with the volume of trade, especially through the Customs. REDUCTION AND AMALGAMATION v QF DEPART ments. In dealing with the public services, the first thing to be kept in mind is efficiency, so that the requirements of the people may be fully and reasonably met, and, secondly, that in any ic organisation there shbuld not be exacted” from any individual more than a fair day’s work for a fair day s pay. The Government is entitled to ask ioi this, much on behalf of tlie Dominion. There are at present 37 separate administrative departments, including the Legislative Department. This number we propose to reduce to 16 by the ainsugamation of certain departments, wit i others. By giving effect to a proposal of this kind, the expenditure will be reduced by the salaries of those officers whose services will no longer be rcnuired. These, in most cases, are senior officers, the total of whose salaries will represent a considerable saviire There will of necessity be adjustments which will call for the retirement of others, but I may say that this is not intended to be done hurriedly or rashly. On completion of the amalgamation of the various departments, a careful and thorough review ol the requirements of the combined .departments will be carried out by then hcv and reported to tlie Government 11ns will reduce expenditure oy substituting, one’set of -secretaries, accounguts chief clerks record Berks, and olcois of that kind, to perform tho duties which are now carried, out by a arger number of separate staffs. Ihe laigei. departments will then be able, without any great accession of clerks, to carry out their increased duties. The following changes will be. brought about: —The: Legislative. Department which is -attached (to. Parliament, will remain ns at present. The; Triiasuny Depni'tmoiit will :«M l lf

•Travers is actuary. These gentlemen will join the Treasury Department. Tho Rost and Telegraph Department will absorb the Old Age Pension Department and also the Stamp Department. Mr. J. Emau Smith goes over to the Post and Telegraph Department as Commissioner of Old Age Pensions. Mr. G. G. C. Fache, chief clerk for old age pensions, will also join the Postal Department, as well as other officers, who will also be absorbed. The Stamps and Deeds Department will bo divided and the Deeds branch will be attached to tho Department of Justice. . Mr, Corliss, officer in charge of the Stamps and Deeds Department, Dunedin, will be transferred to the Postal Department at 'Wellington, and will carry out tho duties attached to the . Stamps branch of that Department. The separate premises occupied by the Old Age Pensions Department throughout the Dominion will bo abandoned; and this will effect a considerable saving in rents ad other charges. The /Public "Works Department wil be known in future as the Public Works, Mines, and Roads Department, and tlie separate Departments of Mines and Roads will not be continued. Mr. Blow, Under-Secretary 'for Public Works, will have control of the three branches. Roads will still be under the administration of the Minister for Roads, as at present, but tlie Department, as I have said, will be controlled by the Under-Secretary for Public Works. In other words, Mr. Hursthouse’s place will not be filled. Public Works and Mines will be under one Minister, as at present. The Geological Survey will still be attached to the Mines Department. THE NATIVE DEPARTMENT. In the Native Department considerable changes will be made. The three judges who are retiring will not be replaced, and the assessmment work, which now entails heavy travelling expenses will be carried out at the head office. The Native Appellate Court is to lie abolished and tlie Chief Judge’s office. There will be other important changes; and a large reduction of cost will be secured. Here, again, the eavino- will be substantial. The Justice Department will absorb the Prisons, Police and Deeds Denartments, as well as the Deeds Registry Department. These will be controlled by the Minister of Justice, who will also' administer the Crown Law Department and Law Drafting Office. It is intended that the legal work, as far as possible, shall be carried out by the AttorneyGeneral’s Department; and in this respect a saving of thoiisands of pounds a year will be assured without loss of efficiency. District Courts will be abolished. Suitable magistracies will be offered to the judges. The department of Internal Affairs will absorb the Printing and Stationery Departments, the Electoral Departments and the Museum, all of which will be under one Under-Secretary. Ihe RegistraiGoneralship, vaacted by the re sf, c Wj of Mr. Von Dsdelszen, will be filled by the* .appointment of Mr. -E. V • Mansfield, who will continue to be Chief Electoral Officer. The Marine Department and the Inspection of Machinery Department will be amalgamated with the Customs Department under the name of' the Customs mand Marine Department. The Immigration Department will be amalgamated the Department «f Labor, Ihe lire branches in many different towns, SSul.l be able to render eSeet,« and useful services m connection with the all important branch of immigration, which -revives very close and .careful administration. Such cooperation has already existed to come extent, but 1 think 'it may usefully be still further cl of Lands for Settlement and the Land Purchase Department will be amalgamated with the Lands and Survey Department, Mr. -J. D Ritchie becoming chairman and inspector for the Land Purchase Board. This arrangement will effect substantial economy, and by degrees the practice of personal visits by all tlie members of the Land Purchase Board to estates should be abolished with safety, to the general interests ofthe Dominion, more use being made of the different branches ot tlie Lands and Survey Department. The Industries and Commerce Department and the Tourist Department will be amalgamated with the Department cn Agncii.ture; and the Hon. T. Mackenzie will have Ministerial charge of the combined departments. This amalgamation also will result in considerable economy, but before it- is carried into a complete reorganisation of the. Agricultural Department wall be earned out.

THE TOURIST DEPARTMENT. Considerable changes will be made in the Tourist Department when merged in that of the Agriculture. The construction of so-cnllcd “tourist roads will not be borne by that, department, and the tourist houses in different parts of the Dominion will not be continued under Government management, but will be leased under proper conditions. It would be a mistake not to have suitable provision for the large section ot the travelling public, New Zealanders included, who visit the various resorts throughout the country ;and every effort will he made to have this work continued on practical lines. These residential houses have performed a valualffe function in tho past, and at Alt. Cook, for instance, tlie accommodation is quite inadequate. It is tkcrefoio intended to nrovide sleeping accommodation for largely increased numbers so that whoever may hereafter take the premises will lie able to fully pi on from the increasing traffic. The tourist branch of the Agricultural Department will be administered, I feel certain, m a way that will be valuable to the countiy. LAND AND INCOME TAX DEPART-MENT-ALTERATION IN VALUATION SYSTEM.

In regard to the Land and . Income Tax Department, it is net quite definitely settled what the nature ot the readjustments will be. The Fire Insurance Department will probab.y be attached to that department, as well as the examination of deceased persons estates, which will be placed under the Commiss’oner of Taxes, as neccssaim the question of taxation in connect.on with this branch should proper, v bo under the control of the taxing Com missioner. Tlie question of keeping the Valuation Department separate oi allving it with some other is not clehnitely decided, hut there will be a material alteration in tlie sysytem of va.ua-t-on As tho result of close investigation, I am satisfied that the earrynig out of valuations for local public bod es by the Valuation Department should cease, the work being undertaken by local bodies themselves. The I a.nation Department should continue to carrv on the 1 work for general taxation ami for the purposes of other departments oi the .State. This policy would effect a substantial reduction m the cost of the departments. It will; be necessary, so as to prevent the reversion to the pi actice of some local bodies- of employing their own officers to irsrm'nung'.'.that .noil"

Valuation Department may be employed by the local- bodies.

HEALTH AND AGRICULTURE

The amalgamation of the Public Health ,tho Hospitals and Charitable Aid, and the Mental Hospitals Departments is also to be effected. The Public Health Department has performed most valuable service, and we must not make it ineffectual. Its organisation is now, however, complete enough to enable a less expensive but equally effective service to be installed. The merging will result in considerable economy. The Department of Agriculture, as I have already stated, will absorb certain others, but it will also itself be largely remodelled. It has not yet been decided who succeeds Mr. Ritchie as Secretary for Agriculture, as ho will occupy his present position for some time longer. It is a matter that required careful consideration. The whole matter of the reorganisation of this important department is being carefully gone into, and in the course of a week or two I expect to be in a position to make an announcement. I feel confident, however, that there is overlapping in several directions. There are too many divisions, and these divisions, although intended to secure effective control, have in some instances produced the very opposite effect. I hope, finally, that the number will be reduced to three or four at tile.most; and the responsible heads of those divisoins should be in personal touch with the Minister, the secretary of the Department having control of the official and administrative side of the ordinary w-ork. The Agricultural Department is one that has very great interests to deal with,and a well-directed expenditure of money will greatly assist the producing interests of the country. Efficiency is in every possible way desirable, but I am persuaded that it can be obtained at a less cost and with a great deal less friction and better results to the country than is the case at present. In saying this, I wish it to he understood that I am not casting the slightest reflection on the officers of this or the officers of any other department, whose ability and integrity are well known, but it is the clogging or_ overlapping that has gradually crept into the department that, in my judgment, requires to be removed in favor of a better system. DEFENCE. There will be material alterations in the Defence Department, and I propose to ask Parliament next session to abolish the Defence Council entirely. The individual members of the Council have done their duty, and have endeavored to carry out the law to the uttermost of their ability, but experience has shown that the machinery is t-co cumbrous for a country with the population of New Zealand, and is for that very reason less effective than it shomd be. Parliament will be asked to substitute a more practical system. I may aud that Colonel Robin and Colonel Davies are to go to England for 12 months m turn. They will be attached to the War Office, and these two respoipibte i-pon -will thus have the benefit of studying on the spot the latest developments in°the Imperial service, so that they mav, on return to the Dominion, be thcrouglily posted up in the most modern scientific methods of warfare. In the svetem to.be adopted m Nen Zealand in the future it is needless to say that both these officers will hold responsible positions. There must of necessity be material alterations in minor matters connected with defence, but I will dea with those when speaking o, the government’s proposals in connection -With the British Navy and the internal defence of New Zealand. EFFECT OF THE ALTERATIONS. The alterations which I have outlined will not only reduce the number of departments to sixteen, but the number of classes on the consolidated fund estimates will also he reduced to 16. instead of 26 at at present. There will be on« chief clerk for each administrative head instead of a chief clerk m every small Department, as at present. Correspondence and boo'k-keepmg will be conducted at the head office, instead of each branch having a staff of us own for those purposes. The duplication of book-keeping carried out by some Departments. while the work m being done on similar lines by the Treasury, will gradually caese, and there, again, much money wall be saved. Ihe iargei Departments will, however continue to keep their own books. In connection with various Departments there will be certain profcsisonal beads Bimh as the public works engineer and the surveyor-general. Arrangements of a similar character will, no doubt, have to be made in some of the amalgamated Departments. Until these proposals are carried into effect, no new ap pointments or transfers will be made. This is in order that, if required the junior officers of the amalgamated Departments may be absorbed. The CnU Service Junior List lias been closed foi the last few weeks, and will dosed for a whole longer. Married men wdl have the preference; and those wh may for a time be required to give UP their positions, \yl4l bo put on iccoid for reinstatement ns circumstances permit, so that as far as possible and injustices wnll be avoided.^ also intended that the fixed daily tun elling allowances which bare been paid shall be discontinued, and actual ex ponses with a limit, on similar lines to that of the present allowances will be substituted, and vouchers will have to bo provided. Tins decisiaa, is due to the fact that travelling expenses have gradually been mounting up until thej bad attained such much bevond what ou examination, .appears to be leqmrea or to be fair to the country as a whole This change will save a considerable amount of money. TELEPHONES. The cost of telephones in % public services “throughout the Dominion running into a fairly largo sum. and is intended that the. heads of Depai^ ments shall review the position, am where telephones are required foi w public services they will be jupphed tthe Department requiring same, w J Wll nav for them. In connection with tho telephone service the free list is o heabolished. Hospitals and charitable —TkeSrSkloS will be called upon to pay the avhok i 0v.,1 If foes. This is necessary on account of the numerous application! S are incessantly bcing veemvedl f« free telephones for all kinds of pu poses. Hero, again, there will be i substantial saving. n PRISONS DEPARTMENT. Tn connection with the Prisons Department there will bo a trans f »ow +be smaller prisons, some oi wJncii ai •costirig sums altogether out of propm tion to that of the larger ones, i hes( are to be abolished, and surphis coniniodation for prisoners wi filled The economies. wmcli i 1 outlined, including other changes whic will be submitted to Parliament, wi l -.a - :n: - ihkvbn'Tt— i-tt l

far as tlie portion affecting the publi j services is concerned, yvithout impaij I ing their efficiency or inconveniencin • tho public in any way. 1 \ RETIREMENTS AND PROMOTIONS. [Pee Peess Association.] \ WELLINGTON, April 2 I j Hie ioLowmg retirements, -appoint, j ments, and transfers in the-Pub lie Set- ! vice are announced:— RETIREMENTS r . j Mr. C. Hickson, ?'Oomihjs.>|>ner oi V Stamps; Colonel Lovedajv CommandM ant of Scnool Cadets; Messrs. W. Hi \ Northcroft and A. TurnballAStipendart 1 Magistrates; Mr. R. Evatt, Inspecting ;! Officer olf Agricultural Department; 4 Messrs. Roskrudge, Hoidsworth; A. H * McLean, and John King, Audit Del l partment; Mr. Blundell, Treasury;! Messrs. D. Barron and H. Trent! | Lands Department; Mr. E. G. .Vou Dadelszen, Registrar-General; Colonel J Webo, Secretary of the Council 1 oi Defence. APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFERS; f Mr J. D. Ritchie to be Chairman and I Inspector of the Land Purchase Board ; k Mr. Bamford (Aucldand) to be Depu-Tj ty-Registrar-Genera 1 of Lands; Mr.' " Hay to be Inspector of Prisons; Mr. Rjf Carter to be Secretary and Inspector! | or Customs; Mr. Nixon (of Napier) t<* a be Collector of Customs at Wellington ; a Mr. Brabazon, landing surveyor at 3 Christchurch, to be Collector of Cus- | toms at Napier; Mr. McLaurin, land-i | ing waiter at Auckland, to be landing; i surveyor at Christchurch; Mr. John; t Strauclion (Auckland) to be Surveyor-! 4 General; Mr. Thomas Noel Brodrickj £ (Gisborne) to be Commissioner ofj Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, and to have charge of the Hawke’s" Bay ;.. district; Mr. Eric O. Gold-Smith; .? (Christchurch) to be promoted to AUck-i i. land, vie& Mr. Strauclion; Mr. FLsJf- a nagan (Commissioner of Crown Lands,! Nelson) to go to Christchurch -s Com-:] b missioner of Crown Lands, vice Mr. t Gold-Smith; Mr. John William Davis;(chief draughtsman in the Wellington. L office) to be chief draughtsman m the ■ head office; Mr. Maurice Crompton. ; e - Smith (acting chief draughtsman at; A Ney Plymouth) to be promoted to tlxej.j: Wellington office., vice Mr. Davis; Mr. if' Archibald McGavock, Invercargill, to if • be chief clerk at Invercargill; Mr. Geo- ! rge Henry Bullard (district surveyor;' on Taranaki staff) to be Land Officer and Inspecting Surveyor at Gisborne, !? r vice Mr. Brodrick; Mr. William McAl- j listed to be Crown solicitor at Invercar-i -j g : l! ; Mr. Ernest Henry Wilmot to lie :.i Commissioner of Crown Lands and ;p 1 Chief Surveyor at Dunedin; Mr. Henry r* 3 May Skeet (chief draughtsman at Hoki- & tika) to be Commissioner of Crown j Lands and Chief Surveyor at Invercar- fj. gill, vice Mr. Wilmot ; Mr. Robert H' Thomas Lodd (chief draughtsman, Nel- j; son) to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Nelson. M vice Mr. Flan nagan; Mr. David Welch jj. Gillies (district surveyor at Mariborough) to be chief draughtsman at Nelson; Mr. Frederick Agustus Thom- jjf sen (Wellington) to be chief draughts- “ man at Hokitika.