New Zealand History Patronage and Scientific Rationalism: The Public Service Act 1912
Oct 22, 2012
Dr. John E. Martin, a Parliamentary historian, dives into the 1912 Public Service Act's significance. He explores the origins of bureaucratic rationalism in New Zealand, revealing how 19th-century patronage shaped civil service. Scandals during public works reveal tensions between political change and corruption. Martin discusses the evolution from political favor to a merit-based system, influenced by international reform ideas. He highlights the complexities of neutrality versus democratic control, reminding us of the ongoing debate around bureaucratic power.
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Seddon’s ‘Learn Him’ Hiring Story
- Dr. John E. Martin recounts an apocryphal story of Richard Seddon telling a department head to "learn him" when a West Coaster applicant was illiterate.
- The tale illustrates Seddon's patronage style and the practical hiring practices of the early Labor Department.
Weberian Blueprint For Modern Bureaucracy
- Martin outlines Weberian bureaucracy: rules, competence spheres, qualified staff, hierarchy, exams, fixed salaries and promotion by objective criteria.
- These features closely map to goals embedded later in the 1912 Public Service Act.
Patronage Rooted In A Small Elite State
- Nineteenth-century New Zealand tolerated ministerial patronage alongside a small, elite civil service and resisted full bureaucratisation.
- Growth of public works and Vogel-era expansion intensified corruption concerns and politicised appointments.
