COMMUNISTS WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC SERVICE POSTS WHERE LOYALTY IS ESSENTIAL

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1949, Page 5

COMMUNISTS WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC SERVICE POSTS WHERE LOYALTY IS ESSENTIAL

PRIME MINISTER TELLS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 23 “The Government has always stood, and still stands, for the fullest political rights for all employees, and there is no proposal from any member of the Government to alter that position,” said the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, at the annual meeting of the Public Service Association to-day. Communism of the Moscow brand, said Mr Fraser, was another matter, and the Government would not permit those holding to such principles to occupy positions where they might do harm to their country, for, with them, loyalty to their country did not come first.

Nevertheless, while standing firmly for the fullest politcial rights for the public servants, it might be foolish for a very highly placed officer to identify himself with a political party, said the Prime Minister, who cited the difficulties which have arisen in Australia when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr R. G. Menzies, had stated that, if he were returned to office, he could have no confidence in a senior public servant who had declared himself against him. However, nothing of that sort had occurred in New Zealand, and he did not see the likelihood of it in the future.

He saw no difficulties or any danger to the State, if the full rights of the civil servants continued as they were now. Nor, said Mr Fraser, was there any intention of the abolition of the right of appeal wholesale; but only at certain stages at certain points.

Political rights covered socialism, nationalism, toryism in varying degrees, he continued, hut those who proclaimed such principles were, first, loyal to their country. But the Communists,' who took their principles from Moscow, were not loyal to their country—what had happened, in Canada had proved that He said: “We certainly will not permit anyone holding those doctrines to occupy a position in the military forces, in scientific research, in the Ex-

ternal Affairs Department, or anywhere else where they may be entrusted with secret information. , ... “That does not mean that they will be debarred from earning a living, but they will not be permitted in the positions which demand loyalty, and where there is the risk that they may do harm to the country.’’ If it should be necessary, said' Mr Fraser, the Government would enact legislation to make it perfectly clear that Communists should not occupy posts where they might do harm, through disloyalty.

Australia’s Check Against Communists Getting Into Forces (Rec. 10.40) SYDNEY, Aug. 22 A thorough investigation to check possible Communist infiltration into the Australian Military Forces, was now proceeding, said the Minister for the Army. Hon Mr Chambers. He added that this investigation embraced a check up within all oj the services. All suspected Communists would be carefully screened, and in those cases where actual association by Army personnel wi-.h the Communist Party was established appropriate action would be taxen-