"A GOOD EXAMPLE"

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 83, 6 October 1915, Page 3

"A GOOD EXAMPLE"

PUBLIC SERVICE VOLUNTEERS , LARGE PERCENTAGE OF ENLIST-" i MENTS. t The ready response of the men in the Public Service in New Zealand to the call to arms was a subject of discussion in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister of Internal Affaire tabled a, return showing the number of employees in the Public Service who have been accepted for active service; the total number of male employees in the Service, and the total number of male employees between twenty and forty years of age,- single and married. The number of employees in the Service under the Commissioners' control who have been accepted for active service is 988 j from the Railway Department, 1420. Total males under the control of the Public Service Commissioners 11,135, in the Railway Department 11,429, and in the Police Force 900; married men between twenty and forty years 2472, 4469, and 396 respectively; unmarried 2961, 3296, and 180 respectively. The return pointed out that as it was announced from the first that the police would not be allowed to volunteer for active service, very few had made written application for permission to serve. A number of them had, however, resigned, and subsequently had gone to the front. "I would like to take advantage of this opportunity," declared the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), "to say that the return speaks volumes for the patriotism of the members of the New Zealand Public Service. The percentage of the single men between the ages of 20 and 40 who had enlisted in ihe branches of the service under Commissioner control was 33.36, and in the railway service 43.08. It is evidence that there are no shirkers in the Public Service of this country. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Payne: There are no shirkers in this country. Mr. Massey : I hope not ! I don't always agree with the hon. member, but Ido in this case. I feel that when the call comes to our men they will all be found ready to go. The example of the Public Service is a very fine one indeed! Mr. J. G. Anderson said that great honour was due to members of the Police Force who had resigned in order to enlist. Special provision should be made to re-engage them when they returned. (Hear, hear.) Mr. D. Brack heartily ' agreed with this view ; and Mr. W. A. Veitih urged that opportunity should be given the police to enlist with the New Zealand troops like any other branch of the Service. He could imagine the feelings of members of the force when they read the glowing things that were said that afternoon of the Public Service. The Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister | in charge of the Police .Department) exj pressed his regret that it was not possible with a due regard to the safety of the country to allow the police to go to the front. The position of the police was different to that of other branches of the Service. The matter had been carefully considered by Cabinet, and it had been decided that liberty could Dot be given the men to join the force. There were 900 men in the force, and out of that number a large proportion were over 40 or 50 years of age. If, therefore, men under 40 were allowed to go, the force would be depleted of 300 or 400 of the best men. If this were allowed he could not hold himself responsible for the safety of the country. There must be some provision for tne keeping of law and order. The bulk of the men were of excellent character. The very fact that so many young men were leaving the country /made it difficult to get suitable candidates of good character for the force. It would bte ridiculous to j suggest that returning wounded soldiers should be taken into the force. They I would not be in a fit state to stand a rough and tumble. Dr. Thacker : Why not get the farmers down again? (Interjections from the farming representatives.) Mr. Buick: You will get them down when they are wanted ! The Minister said he welcomed the suggestion that returning police should" be taken on again, and lie would give the matter fnll consideration. f