POLITICAL RIGHTS OF WORKERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 267, 24 August 1949, Page 2

POLITICAL RIGHTS OF WORKERS

No change Proposed by Government COMMUNISTS NOT COVERED BY POLICY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. “The Government has always stood, and still stands, for the fullest political rights for all employees, and there is no proposal from any member of the Government to alter that position,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) at the annual meeting of the Public Service Association today.

Communism of the Moscow brand, said Mr Fraser, was another matter, and the Government would not permit those holding to such principles to' occupy positions in which they might do harm to their country, for with them loyalty to their country did not come first.

Nevertheless, while standing firmly for the fullest political rights for public servants, it might be foolish for a highly-placed officer to identify himself with a political party, said Mr Fraser, who cited difficulties which had arisen in Australia when the Leader of the Opposition (Mr R. G. Menzies) had said that if he were returned to office he could have no confidence in a senior public servant who had declared hirnself against him. Nothing of that sort had occurred in New Zealand, and he did not see the likelihood of it in future. He saw no difficulties or any danger to the State if the full rights of civil servants continued as they were now. Nor, said Mr Fraser, was there any intention of abolition of the right of appeal wholesale, but only at certain stages and at certain points. Political rights covered Socialism, Nationalism and Toryism in varying degrees, he continued, but those who proclaimed such principles were first loval to their country. But Communists, who took their principles, from Moscow, were not loyal to their country— what had happened in Canada had proved that. “We certainly will not permit anyone holding those doctrines to occupy a position in the military forces, in scientific research, in the External Affairs Department, or anywhere else where they may be entrusted with secret information,” he said. “That does not mean that they will be debarred from earning a living, but they will not be permitted in positions which demand loyalty and where there is a risk that they may do harm to the country.”

Tf it should be necessary, said Mr Fraser, the Government would enact legislation to make it perfectly clear that. Communists should not occupy positions in which they might, do harm through disloyalty.