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 unification of services, etc. and so gradually build up to a situation in which
 the habit of joint action will have become so strong as to enable full political
 federation to follow uncontentiously and almost as a matter of course.
 Others who hold that full federation is- necessary and practicable now,.
 incline to oppose action on pre-federal" lines, on .the ground that such
 action may operate to delay federation whether by intention or otherwise."
 I said, Sir, I believe this is unworkable,, and in introducing it we will be setting
 up a pre-federal structure that will have no authority or mandate from the people,
 and will not work. But, as I have already said, I have, no hard feelings in the
 matter and I will advise the mover pf the motion to withdraw his motion and if
 possible. I would like.to withdraw my seconding of the motion.
 Honourable 'Member for North Windward : I_propose to explain the position
 I took up on this matter. At once I should say that the fears of the Civil Service
 Association as -to transfers' and the like are groundless, As will be seen by
 reference to paragraph 105 of the S.C.A.C. Report, the introduction of Federation
 will not preclude transfers and so on. As regards the institution of a Public
 Services Commission, this Council has already accepted that that be done,
 because this Report recommended it and the Report has been accepted.
 Therefore, the establishmerit-of a public Services Commission is not in dispute.
 What we are called upon to think about is what has been said in the conclusion of
 this Report on the Unification of the Public Services, namely that a "unified
 service is at best no more than a half-way house between separate services for
 each territory and a Federal service "; and, in paragraph 104 of the S.C.A.C.
R-'eport we find that the Corimittee recommended that the Publi. Services
 Commission be set up at an early date--
 So I say that we have already accepted in principle the establishment of a
 Public Services Commission; but I also say that pre-federal action is warned
 against, for in paragraph 114 of the S.C.A.C. Report we read :
 "Before proceeding to coijider the several topics in detail, a general
 overriding observation should be made and should be borne in mind at all
 times in the consideration of what follows. The experience of previous
 federations has been that federal services do not fare well in the absence
 of the unifying sanction of political, federation."
 It is because of these two points, and because I do not think it is wise to try to
 have a scheme of Unification before Federation, and because I believe Unification
 and Federation are not the same, that is:why I have put forward this Resolution.
 Federation will not preclude Unification'as will be.seen from paragraph 104 of the
 S.C.A.C. Report, and therefore if Federation is, to come about and there are so
 many snags and difficulties in Unification at present. I say let us await Federation
 before doing anything.
 A Public Services Commission if set up now would not have effective control
 over the Services in the various units, and becduse'the Public Services Commission
 itself will not be responsible to a central organisation, -I say let us wait for
 Federation and take no further step in the matter.
 I don't think I can make my position any clearer, and to those who think I
 have not given sufficient reasons for putting forward my Resolution, I say again
 it would not be inimical.,to the interests of the Civil Service if and when
 Federation arises, and, in any case, a Public Services Commission has to be formed
 Vote taken on Counter-motion-Result : 5-for 1 against, 2 abstentions.
 (2 Members of Council were absent)