GENERAL ELECTION

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1928, Page 3

GENERAL ELECTION

noisworthy a candidate. ASHBURTON, August 27. Doubt as to thci 'meaning of Hon W. Nosworthy’s previous message having arisen, a. cablegram was sent to hint and in reply the Mayor of Ashburton (Mr Galbraith) received the following message from Quebec: The word “only” was omitted from my cablegram, whiq’.i should read: definitely candidate for Mid-Canterbury only, mean,ing not available for any other electorate. SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTORATE. CHRISTCHURCH Augu.st 27. Mr W. T. Pitama, of Tuahiwi, has consented to be a candidate for ’ihe Southern Maori seat at the forthcoming General Election:. lie will stand as an Independent. CIVII, SERVANTS AS CANDIDATES. ' Au gun t S 5. Mr 11. E. Holland (Loader of the Opposition), with, the leave of the House, asked the Prime Minister whether any decision had yet been arrived at as to the position of defeated candidates at the forthcoming election, who were public servants. The Prime MinSter would remember that some time back a deputation waited upon him asking for aneiiu ing legislation providing tor the rein.statemeL> of public servants who stand as candidates and be defeated. The Prime Minister had then promised that Cabinet would consider the matter. The Prime Minister would vecoiy|nise that aJKflKHig'h {re-appoint ment was made after Ihe last election., those' candidates who were re-appoint-ed suffered considerably, both financially and in status. It was desired that the status of such public servants who offered themselves at the forthcoming ejection should be main tainod, Tlie Prime Minister replied the matter had had his very careful consideration, and. it was at present receiving the attention of the Government. The Governmt nt by no means encouraged members; of the Civil Service to bepome candidates ' a'c Parliamentary elections. The position was that it was very difficult, for a Civil servant to serve two masters. Departmental heads raised definite objections to anything of the kiiid, and always opposed rhe idea that a candidate from the Service should not suffer a disability. AT present if a Civil servant desired to contest an election he had to resign, and if he was unsuccessful he was re instated, but the point was whether he should occupy exactly ihe same position as when he resigned to become a candidate.

Mr Holland: Tie really loses his status. “He does,” replied Mr Cdates, who added, however, that the man returned to the same rate of pay as he was receiving before he left. Mr Holland said that this was not bo. Last election there wore, those who lost half-a-crown a day by stand ing. Mr Coates admitted that the position was serious financially in many cases, but permanent casuals suffered but little disability. It w those who were on the* superannuation fund that suffered ‘mo&t. The Government had not yet reached a decision, but he knew that the matter was important so far as tlie Labour Party was concerned.