THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT.
TO THB EDITOR OF THB PRESS. Sm,—l would not have trDubled you if your sub-leader on the '. Civil Service Reform Act had referred to a matter entirely personal to myself. It does not, and I write to ;say a word or two about it.
The Civil Service Reform Act was care fully thought out, and laid down two principles—namely, that for all ordinary services outsiders were not to be appointed, and promotion thus denied to Civil servants : and second, that all appli cants for an office must have passed some educational standard. In the case of cadets the appointments are competi tive.
The Act, However, provides that if experts are required in the Civil Service these can be appointed from the outside. If, therefore,. the commercial people in Canterbury, think an expert—one who has been trained as a lawyer and knows bank ruptcy business—is necessary for the posi tion of Official Assignee, the Government can appoint such a one. If a mere accountant is required there are plenty in the service fit for the office.
It is to attempt to shelter the Government from • criticism, if a wrong appointment should be;made, by referring to the most proper provisions of .the Civil Service Keform.Act--jfcn Ace which put an end to political favoritism, and" at the same time provid.es that the special prizes of the service shall not fall to outsiders.— I am, &c., ■

Robert Stout. Dunedin, November 19th.
MAGISTERIAL.
CHRISTCHURCH.
