The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Civil Establishments
at home and abroad has reported that, on the whole, the Mayfair system has worked well, and should be continued in spirit, though apparently-greater opportunities to rise will be given to the Lower Division Clerks. Every office is to be called upon to formulate its normal establish- ment, and a permanent Consultative Committee is to be formed to watch these establishments. The most important recommendation of the Commission is, however, that though superannuation allowances should be retained, 5 per cent. should every year be deducted from the salary of each official, and on retirement withoutsuperannuation allowance, or death, the sum produced by these payments at compound interest should be returned to him or his representatives. We wish the Commissioners had gone further, had abolished pensions altogether, and had made the compulsory insurance at the rate of 10 per cent. In future, sixty-five is to be the age-at which all officials must retire. The heads of departments may, however, grant an extra five years on the one hand, or, on the other, cut off five years, and order retirement at sixty.
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