PUBLIC SERVICE AND LOYALTY: OFFICIAL POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1948, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE AND LOYALTY: OFFICIAL POLICY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “The commission agrees that positions involving secrecy and national security should not be held by persons who admit membership of or are reasonably believed to be in active association with organisations, the objects or methods of which conflict with the national interest,” says the annual report of the Public Service Commission, tabled in the House of Representatives today. “This consideration is taken into account when appointments are made and it applies also to the present holders of such positions. The commission adheres, none the less, to the principle that, according to their fitness all persons in New Zealand of British nationality, regardless of race, sex, or political or religious belief, should have equal opportunities for appointment to and advancement in the public service. This we accept as basic in our democracy and. way of life. “We do not think what has been said earlier in this paragraph is in conflict with such principle. It is indeed our concern to see that there is not a conflict and that no injustice is done to anyone while the requirements of national security are safeguarded.” Discussing the integrity and loyalty of the public service, the report says it attaches to integrity still greater importance thai® to efficiency. “The public service already has high traditions of incorruptibility and'the commission’s job is to see that they are kept up. "The commission will spare no effort to uncover delinquencies and to correct, departmental methods that allow them. They will press for the appropriate criminal proceedings where a breach of trust is proved—mere termination of employment is clearly inadequate punishment.”