A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3310, 31 August 1911, Page 2

A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE.

LENGTH OF TERRITORIALS’ HAIR PRIME MINISTER ASKS FOR REPORT. The House met again at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Mr Greenslade (Waikato) drew the attention of the .Minister for Defence to the action of the drill instructors in Auckland in ordering that territorials’ hair eh all be of uniform length. Mr Clark (Chalmers) said that territorials should not be 'harassed. There was a certain amount of feeling against the compulsory training system at present, and the lot of the men should be mad© as congenial as possible. Sir Joseph Ward said he had asked for a report on the matter. He would not approve of anything derogatory to the service, and ho did not intend to allow such a state of affairs as had been mentioned in the newspaper reports, but maybe it would be found to be exaggerated. General Godley was most desirous that the system should be carried out properly, and any irregularity, if brought before the General, would promptly be set right. IN THE EVENING. PUBLIC SER/VICE REFORM BILL. In the House this evening, in &nower to questions. Ministers said: That the telephone regulations are now under revision. That it is hoped shortly to be able to announce the decision in reference to the reduction to country settlers. That the Local. Government Bill is now in course of preparation, and will be circulated this session. Mr Herdman (Wellington North) moved the second reading of the Public Service Reform Bill. The Bill, lie said aimed at the elimination of political influence from appointments tb the civil service. The discussion was on the lines of the debate o.n . the first reading of the Bill. The Hon. T. Mackenzie said if the mover of the Bill were conversant with the work of members, lie would know that they would not stuff their departments full of incompetent officers. The position! was too impossible. Sir Joseph Ward, replying to arguments in support of the _ measure, said it was of the greatest importance to the humblest and the highest that there should be a goocf public service. The difference between the Civil Service of to-day and when their opponents were in power was the difterence between Paradise and somewhere else. He wished to know if they were to have a handing over to a. Czar ■ or an' autocrat the destinies of the Civil servants, who were getting old, and who would be liable to be reduced in salary on account of age. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose.