THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1943. "WATCHING"

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32315, 17 September 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1943. "WATCHING"

In the interests of New Zealand’s future it is desirable that careful note should be taken of an address broadcast through the, country by Mrs M. M. Dreaver, Labour candidate for the Waitemata seat. Since Mrs Dreaver was chosen among the few to make national broadcasts in the election campaign it must be assumed that the substance of her address represents the policy of her party. There is a tendency, because the candidate is a woman, to extend leniency to her, but she is a prominent member of the now ruling party and it is unfair to the country to allow a sense of gallantry to prevent the criticism that the speech warrants.,

The address was packed with class animosity and promises of easy prosperity if only the people voted Labour, but worse still, it contained sinister references to what might happen to those in the Public Service who, not being members of the Labour Party, were alleged to be sabotaging the party’s policy. Members of the Public Service who are not of the party were plainly told that they were being watched and if they did not conform to what the Labour Government regarded as the proprieties, they would be dismissed. Political coercion of the Public Service cannot be tolerated.

Is this body of men and women, loaded at this time with additional work and receiving wages and salaries which compare very unfavourably with those in other occupations, to go in constant fear of “watching” and dismissal for political reasons ? If they dare to express political views contrary to those of the Government they are to be “watched.” Mrs Dreaver alleges that some of* them have been and still are sabotaging the Government’s plans. Upon all she has cast a stigma of suspicion which the public in its daily contact with the Public Service knows perfectly well is a grave injustice. Mrs Dreaver was vociferously applauded. Emotional appeal for an easy way of life, sickly sentiment and threats of political tyranny are not what New Zealand wants in its Parliamentary representatives. Leadership does not consist in promising everything under the sun or in sinister threats.