MR. SAVAGE'S APPEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 294, 12 December 1935, Page 6

MR. SAVAGE'S APPEAL.

In the theory of democracy the people participate in government; in practice the degree of their participation has not been impressive. Mr. Savage intends that at least they shall be encouragcd to make themselves familiar with the problems of government and to help and co-operate with the new Administration wherever practicable. He sees clearly that the structure of Labour policy cannot be raised steadily and its permanence assured unless it is firmly founded in public confidence, and he has taken every opportunity of assuring all people that "Labour wants to build, not to destroy," and that the Government, though intent on making changes, will not make them rashly. There can be no doubt that Mr. Savage's speeches are having the effect he wishes them to have, for the knowledge that the new Ministers do not under-estimate their difficulties is, in itself reassuring. "Governments come and go, but the Civil Service will go on for all time," the Prime Minister said yesterday to an assembly of Departmental heads whose co-operation also he requested. He impressed upon them that when they had an opinion to express to members of the Ministry they were free to express it. This invitation will be welcomed by the public no less than by the Civil Service, for it indicated that Mr. Savage and his colleagues do not intend to be hampered by doctrinaire conceptions of governmental problems, but that they will be susceptible to reasoned argument. The Prime Minister's address, admirable in tone and content, will do much to ensure the smooth and productive working of the administrative machine.