PUBLIC SERVANTS AND CITIZENSHIP

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVANTS AND CITIZENSHIP

An unpleasant suggestion of official interference with the rights of public servants as citizens is contained in the report from Christchurch, published yesterday, of resentment among the local staff of the Railways Department. It is said that this resentment is the result of the cross-examination of certain Division 1 employees about anonymous correspondence published during April in a Christchurch newspaper, The published letters criticised and expressed dissatisfaction with staff administration. Apparently they were written by railways employees, for they were signed “Grade 7” and Another Grade 7. Apparently, -too, some sort of departmental investigation has resulted from their appearance in print. That is understandable. But the question of importance, so far as the public are concerned, is the natuic of the investigation. If it involves an alleged attempt to trace the /luthorship of the letters with a view to intimidation oi victimization, the reported staff resentment is not to be wondered at. Indeed, a much wider display of disapproval is called for. One of the boasts made by the members of the present Government, both before and after they assumed office, was that the status of public servants, as individuals, would be fully piotected. If. the staffs of the railways and other State departments are to continue to enjoy their status of citizenship it is necessary that no challenge to privileges held by every private person should pass unnoticed. The duty of any ■ Government is to see . that . its departmental employees are as free from inquisition into their actions as citizens as are any of their fellow countrymen, but this Government, in particular, has an additional responsibility. It has made a parade of virtue as a champion of equality. It has accused previous administrations of lack of consideration in this icspcct. Clearly, then, it should be in a position to demonstrate that its own house is in order.