THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3331, 25 September 1911, Page 4

THE CIVIL SERVICE.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S SYMPATHETIC REPLY. [PEE, PEESS ASSOCIATION..! WELLINGTON, Sept. 24. Several matters affecting the Civil Service were brought under the notice of the Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation from the Civil Service Association. Mr. G. Allport said the deputation desired to urge the bringing into operation of the classification scheme. There would probably be a large number of appeals, he said, but they hoped it would be gazetted soon, so that- the service would know what its prospects are. The deputation also urged that the Superannuation Act should also be amended so as to give a widow of a civil servant the right to take the annuity of £lB or compensation in the usual way. and that the amount- of compensation should be protected from creditors. The deputation also urged that the question of leave on full pay should ineach ease be dealt with on its merits. Mr. F. S. Pope urged that the Government offices in the larger towns should be closed at noon on Saturday. The young men in the service were very anxious for this reform, if possible, and if the Government could not grant- this as a privilege, the service was prepared to commence work at S a.m. on Saturday instead of at 9 a.m. as at present. He also referred to the case of some men who had arrived at an age when it was out of the question, for them to pass the senior civil service examination, and therefore could not receive increases of salary. In lieu of passing the senior examination the deputation suggested that they should be able to sit for a departmental examination, on passing which they would be entitled to receive more than £2OO a year., Sir Ward said he had received the classification, and proposed to lay it before Parliament. Increases of salary w-ould appe a r iu the supplementary estimates, and. the classification wouid be held over until all the anneals were received. Probably it would not be dealt with until next session. As to superannuation, he said that if the rights ot widows had not been conserved, he would have the necessary amendment made, but he did not ‘know that they could legislate about the obligations of the deceased. He would look into the matter of extended leave of obsence, but the Government- had had to draw the line owing to the number cf applications received. No unfairness bad been shown in cases of sickness, but if a system of accumulated leave grew up it might lead to a very great deal of trouble. Ini regard to closing at noon on Saturday there were difficulties in the way. If offices in the four centres were closed at noon it would he unfair to other places. The railway men and postal men could not- be allowed to leave at no-on, and some of them did not get away at- 1 o’clock now. He would consider the matter, but lie did not at present see how it could be managed, though he would like to do it if he could. He would also consider the question of the passing of examinations. The country was desirous of seein, <r that those who entered the, service should have passed a good examination, and the request required very careful consideration.