No leave pass

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 22

No leave pass

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Couch, is surely in error when he asserts that the State Services Commission’s leave ban raises the danger of limiting freedom. The commission has resolved not to grant leave to any of its employees who want time off to compete against South African teams. In view of Government policy on sports contacts with South Africa the commission is doing no more than any other employer is entitled to do. This ruling cannot preclude an employee from doing what he wants to do in his own time, whether that be out of normal working hours or during ordinary holiday periods. For a Jong time the commission has permitted employees to take extra leave if they are playing in international sport for New Zealand. Most private employers take the same view. International sport representation is generally seen to be

of sufficient creditable importance to justify such a view and, in applying such a policy, the commission endorses the worth of the occasion.

In the instance of sports events with South African teams the commission would be acting against Government policy if it endorsed such events by granting special leave. This is a discretion that should be exercised with care: but the position is so plain in view of the Gleneagles Agreement that the commission could not do otherwise.

The discretion is within the proper power of the commission; it is not an oppressive extension of law or authority. As an employer, the Government must not be seen to be approving sports contacts with South Africa and the commission should have had no difficulty in reaching its conclusion.