N.G. Public Service.

Reclassification to Operate Retrospectively.

THERE is very much that will interest and please the public servants of New Guinea in the following extract from the “Hansard” report of proceed ings in the Federal Parliament on Sep tember 22: Mr. MAKIN. —Will the Minister con cerned advise whether the Government has issued instructions to the adminis tration of the Mandated Territory to bring about the reduction of the sal aries of the members of that public service? If so, will the Government, before such reductions are effected, take into consideration the fact that no increase has been granted to the public service of the Mandated Terri tory since 1921, and that the cost of living has since risen. Further, that the maintenance of that service im poses no charge upon the revenues of the Commonwealth?

Mr. MARK.—It is not proposed to make any cut in the salaries of the public servants in New Guinea. The Government recently approved a clas sification, which had remained in abey ance for eighteen months, but which will now come into operation with re trospective effect from the Ist July, 1931. While the Government is endeav ouring to reduce expenditure in the Mandated Territory, it is exploring avenues other than the reduction of tfye public service salaries to effect its purpose.

The despatch boat “Hifofua” arrived in Suva from Nukualofa on August 22 and, after being overhauled, left again for Tonga.