OFFICERS AS PAWNS

Evening Post, Issue 59, 10 March 1924, Page 7

OFFICERS AS PAWNS

PREMIER PROTESTS AGAINST PRESS.

UDSIRALUN-NEYT ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 7th March. Addressing a distinguished ' company at the annual dinner of His Majesty's Civil Service, including the Duke of York, Mr: Ramsay Mac Donald, Viscount Chelmsford, Mr. J. R. Clynes, Mr. Phillip Snowden, and Mr. J. H. Thomas, Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee declared that Singa,pore was the gateway to the Pacific. He thought that they ought to defend it, and that Australians, .New Zealanders, and everyone interested in the China trade should help them. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, subsequently proposing, the toast of the "Civil Service" and referring.to the Press reports about Admiralty pressure with regard to the Singapore scheme, remarked that when he saw the Admiralty officers in whom they had the greatest confidence being used a s pawns in a political game, he thought it was his duty as the .head of a responsible Government to protest. The Civil Service was responsible for advice, but the Government was responsible for policy. Any newspaper attacks must therefore be directed against the latter.

The- Premier concluded by payin°- a high tribute to the loyalty and wholehearted devotion shown by the Civil Service since Labour's advent to powpr Sir Oswyn Murray, Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty, respnding to the toast, remarked that the tendency of the present Ministry to decide important .questions for 'themselves made for S ood administration and prompt decisions