LOYALTY NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1948, Page 5

LOYALTY NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 13.. “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 to-day. “This consideration is taken into account when appointments are made and it aoplies also to the present holders of such positions. The Commiss;on adheres, none the less, to the principle that, according to their fitness all persons in'New Zealand ot 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 wav of life. , , , , “We do not think what has been said earlier in this paragraph is m conflict with such principle. It is indeed our concern to see that were is not a conflict and that no injusquirements of national security are tice is done to anyone while the resafeguarded.” ’ , , Discussing the integrity and loyaity of the public service, the report says it attaches to integrity still greater importance than 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 inadeouate punishment.”