"A different outfit" : state trading enterprises in Queensland 1915-1930

Abstract

Public Service Act of 1922" , J. D. Story , had intimated that his influence was not restricted to government offi cers operating under that Act. In the report fol lowing his inquiry into the Classification System of the Public Service in 1918-19, he recommended that :Heads of sub-departments shoul d be consul ted freely in the selection of officers for their sub-departments. They are he1d responsibl e for the efficient administration of their sections and they should have a voice in the sel ecti on of their staffs. Particul arly should this be so in the commercial and revenue-producing departments. Many of these departments are in competition with private concerns, and the success of the State institutions wi ll depend largely on � he extent to which they can win and hol d publi c confidence. Although he might have been referring to formal ised sub-departments such as Forestry in the Lands Department, by 1923 it was clear that industrial matters relating to managers, and to empl oyees, of the State Enterprises were subject to his recommendation and approval .Among the staff of the Enterprises, there was a third group which did not fit into either the employee or manager groups.