7 NOVEMBER 1931, Page 3

The Spanish Civil Service " Axed " The new Spanish

Premier, Senor Azana, justified his reputation for boldness by decreeing last week that the personnel of the over Service should be reduced by half. Officials of over twenty years' service were invited to retire on pensions equal to four-fifths of their salaries. Those retained are to receive an increase of a fifth in their pay but must devote their whole time to their duties. AS hitherto Spanish civil servants have only given half their time to the State, supplementing their salaries by other occupations, Senor Azana's reform come hard on them. But the Prime Minister has obviously taken a sound step. A half-time Civil Service can hardly fail to be a half-efficient Civil Service.

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