CO129-599-2 Salaries Commission- 1947 Report 1-1-1947 - 31-12-1949 — Page 23

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We regard it as of primary importance for the satisfactory working: of the Government's disciplinary systom that efficiency bars should be strictly and con- scientiously applied and that Heads of Departments should refuse to give annual certificates which would entitle officers to an increment of pay where such certificates are not wholly justified. The Pensions Ordinance contains

rovisions which enables the Governor-in-Council to dispenso at any time with the purvices of an officer who appears to be unable to lischure efficiently the duties of his office. Where, however, such an officer can produce certificates from the Head of his Department enabling him to secure the usual increments of salary or to pass the prescribed

fficiency bars he may successfully rebut any charge of cumlativo inefficiency or continued isbehaviour in office. Any luxity in the grunting of annual certificates or in the enforcement of officiency bars may therefore make it difficult ultimately to get rid of an officer whose inefficiency has persisted over a number of years but who has annually been permitted to draw the further increments which shoul! Deranted only as the result of positive good service. The Poncions Ordinance also makes provisions for the frant of only a limitel pension gratuity or other Allowance in the case of an officer retired for inefficiency or the total withhol·lint of any such grant in the case of an officer who has been guilty of negligence, irregulari ty or misconduet. Where the services of an officer ure dic- pensed with r r inofficiency or misconduct it is important that any rant made to him by way of pension gratuity or other allowance should either be withheld or bo of such a limited ox gratin mount as not to make it worth while for en officer to conduce or to secure his own dismissal by delibornte inefficiency or misconduct with a view to obtaining a mension or a gratuity to supplement his earnings from other employment. It is recommendol that the Provisions relating to pons as shall be reconsidered with a view to providing the necessary sanctions to secure officiency end to enable Government without undue restrict- ion or burden upon its finances to disponse with officers who are inefficient or quilty of misconduct.

Re-rganisation and Retrenchment.

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We have roposed what we consider to be the lowest adequate terms at which the Government may expect to get competent responsible officers. But the total cost of the improvements we suggest will be high. It has been no part of our back to inquire if departments are overstaffed or if holders of posts are really competent or if departments are well organised. Wo have assumed in our recommendatione in these respects conditions are satisfactory.

that payer has a right to clearer assurances than we can offer.

But the tax- It is therefore our recommendation that the Government should satisfy itself and people generally by inquiry through a committee or using the services of a special officer that the public services are not overstaffed nor the asylum of inefficient officers.