PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1927, Page 5

PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Civil Rights. LABOUR LEADER’S QUERY. EVADED BY COATES. (Special to Argus.) WELLINGTON, November 29. Members of Parliament are already thinking of the general elections which are to be held at the end of next year, and an announcement was made in the House of Representatives today that several members of the Public Service intend offering themselves for election to Parliament.

Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, asked the Government to provide legislation which will ensure that members of the Service, so offering themselves, will not forfeit their rights to their positions nor to superannuation benefits.

To this the Prime Minister replied that the Leader of the Opposition probably was better-informed upon the intentions of the Public Service than he (Mr Coates). Mr Holland: I am not speaking from a Party point of view. The Public Service Association has not approached me. Mr Coates: “Well, I cannot answer that, because I have no knowledge of the intention of the Service.

Mr Holland: Some of them might stand in the Reform interest. Mr Coates: I have not heard of one standing on behalf of the Government. Mr Holland: Is it as bad as that? Mr Coates: I do not want to agree offhand. You have the better of it at the moment. Mr D. G." Sullivan: You will have to “wait and see.” Mr Coates: I doubt if we can make it easier for them taking up politics. Mr Glenn (Rangitikei): If they have any sense they will stick to their jobs, and leave it alone. Mr Frazer: You look after Rangitikei. Mr Coates: I think the question can well be answered next session.