THE WORST ADVICE
The Leader of the Labour Party has called on the Public Service to become political.
Since a host of them now look to the Labour Party for justice for them, it is reasonable to urge that they follow the example set by the operating staff of the telegraph office at Auckland, and join with the rest of the workers in ! placing the moral and financial supj-->rt of their organisations behind the Labour Party, both in the Hutt contest Inext month, and in the next general election, which may bo nearer than many people suppose.
The Public servants are invited to sell their votes —to organise politically. We have never supported class organisation, or an attempt to sell support to the highest bidder. Such attempts are against good government, and against the public interest, whether they are made by farmers, or manufacturers or other sections of the community. But the worst class vote imaginable would be a class vote of State employees. If the Public servants are to use their power to return the party which will give them most, how can they continue to serve faithfully the party which refuses to accept their dictation? We have never had a political Service, and we hope that we shall not have one now; but if Mr. Holland's advice is followed it will be but a short step to full political action. "Spoils to the victors" is Mr. Holland's plea to the State employees. What, then, is to hinder a future Government from deciding that non-political control shall end, [and the Service be filled with men who have bought their places and preferment by loyal support of the victorious party? We shall have the American system of a change of administration leading to wholesale changes of staffs. There is this further argument which Public servants should heed: The voting public do not desire injustice to State employees, but if they think organised voting strength is being used to buy favour there will be antagonism to the Service. In one or two seats organised voting strength may win the day, but this gain will be far outweighed by the resentment aroused in electorates where there is no hope of dictation.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 127, 25 November 1929, Page 8
Word Count
369
THE WORST ADVICE
Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 127, 25 November 1929, Page 8
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