Staff at N.Z. House, London, attack P.M.

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33373, 3 November 1973, Page 2

Staff at N.Z. House, London, attack P.M.

(From MICHAEL ROBSON, N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent) LONDON, November 2. The failure to consult adequately the people most affected has left the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) with an incipient revolt on his hands at the New Zealand High Commission in London.

At what those attending it described as an angry and bitter meeting yesterday, the locally-engaged staff at New Zealand House sent a telegram to Mr Kirk complaining about the way in which the announcement and implementation of staff cuts at the High Commission had been, and was being, handled.

The 180 members of the. [New Zealand. Governments ’Staff Association. London, at the meeting, unanimously; decided to send the telegram ‘which contained statements; I criticising Mr Kirk and his Government. At the same time,, the members also unanimously passed a separate resolution urging their executive to explore the possibility of joining a British trade union. The telegram among other things accused the Government of acting in a manner contrary to what was expected of Labour and Social Democratic Governments in

:.the free world by not consulting those to be affected, and of jeopardising career '; prospects. It also reminded Mr Kirk /that New Zealand depended non the dedication and loyalty of locally-engaged staff for i running the High C.ommis- ■ sion. The key phrase, however, ■ was one which said that “The New Zealand and United Kingdom public have been 1 led to believe that a loyal; and hard-working staff are; under-employed.” According to reliable witnesses at the meeting, the; one thing which had stung

I staff members to the quick I was the implication they .were not putting in a fair 'day’s work. While none of the I seconded staff from Welling[ton were involved in yesterday’s meeting, this is also a point which rankles with : these career civil servants. ■They have been particularly; 1 hurt—as have the locally- ; engaged staff—by a press statement attributed to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; (Mr F. H. Corner) accusing the High Commission of inefficiency. It is difficult to find anyone at New Zealand House who disagrees with the idea that staff cuts had to come. There is also little dispute over the areas in which they have been made. METHODS ATTACKED There is general agree[ment, however, and a great ideal of resentment, over the [way in which the cuts were announced; over what is seen as a waffling and evasive attitude on the part of the High Commissioner (Mr T. H. McCombs); and over the failure since the announcement, by anyone to consult, or even inform, the staff clearly of the changes ahead. So far there has been only occasional talk of I industrial action but as yes-

: terday’s meeting made clear ■ that if the situation is ■ allowed to deteriorate any further there could be i serious trouble which could ■ well affect the functioning of ■ New Zealand House as an effective diplomatic post.