The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1925. PUBLIC SERVICE “HOLIDAYS.’

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 May 1925, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1925. PUBLIC SERVICE “HOLIDAYS.’

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock -n Hawera, Mar.aia Norrnanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Wbakamara, Ohan a ai. Meremere, Fras,er Road, an Ararata.

Someone has blundered in granting to the publici (servants of the Dominion four days’ holiday in which to mourn the loss oif the loved national leader who, for the last dozen yeans o-f his life, barely knew the meaning of leisure, let alone holiday. It was entirely fitting that the schools throughout the country should have been closed yesterday after the scholars had been briefly addressed on the example of the splendid life that has ended; and the opportunity should not be lost on Thursday of commending to the children the late'Mr. Massey's stalwart patriotism and unswerving allegiance to the highest ideals of Christian statesmanship. But dignified and sincere mourning is partner rather with work than with pleasure-making; and it is wholly absurd to suggest that any member of the public service would not be 'better following out the wishes of the late. Prime Minister himself by attending to the country’s needs than by roaming the hills or striding over the golf links. There is nothing unworthy in work; and the sooner those in high places in the public service come to rea li so that the better. The dominant note in the Do-minion-wide tributes that are being paid the memory of the late Prime Minister is an appreciation of his absolute istraiight-deialing with all classes. To him, indeed, there were no classes. Every man, woman and child in the land was a. citizen of New Zealand, and all citizens of New Zealand were equal in his sight. That one section of the population should, he released from work for four days, while the rest of the country goes about its dally business, would have jarred on his sense of just dealing. The man who imagines that public servants will walk with bowed heads for four, days, in silent contemplation of the magnificent record of work well done by the dead leader, is either an idiot or a. fool. What will happen, at any rate outside of the capital city, is that th© period of mourning will degenerate into one of carnival. That is certainly not in keeping with the ispirit of the occasion, and if is most unfortunate that the Public Service Commissioner, or /someone above him, should have closed the officers. Not for a moment! will anyone doubt the good! intention behind, it all; but this is just one of those instances in which the heart has been allowed to' run away with the head, and the outcome will not be to improve the relations between the general public and the civil service. The fact that only those departments under the Commissioner are involved, and that postal employees, railwaymen and teachers have to • work as usual, makes the position worse instead of better. Let ns honour Mr. Massey’s memory by all means, but let us do it rather as we go quietly and earnestly about our work, each one of us seeking in a humble way to help on the welfare of the country for which it is no exaggeration to say lie gave his life. Much more appropriate than this public service “celebration” is the course of action, decided upon by the Hawera retailers, after consultation ivith the Mayor. If business premises here are closed during the actual time of the funeral in Wellington, after having been open as usual in the forenoon, the effect will be much more impressive than if a general holiday were proclaimed. Kxoept Where .strict observance can, be enforced, as in the case' of Anzae Day, a, lull cessation of business usually means a day given over to pleasure. Better by far to pause in our daily round as we do on Armistice Day, and to/ stand a moment in silent tribute toi the memory of the friend who has passed hence.