Story: Public service

'The public service: a career for boys'

‘Applications are invited for lads who are desirous of entering the public service as cadets.’ This 1920 pamphlet issued by the Public Service Commissioner sets out the terms and conditions of employment for males aged 16 and older entering the public service. Their pay and ranking at the time of their employment was based on which of a series of examinations they had passed at school. These exams were designed to select and prepare candidates for the public service.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: S-L 1135-PAM 1920-PUB 4210

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Richard Shaw, 'Public service - Reform, 1912 to 1962', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/33019/the-public-service-a-career-for-boys (accessed 16 April 2024)

Story by Richard Shaw, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 8 Mar 2021