PUBLIC SERVANTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 3

PUBLIC SERVANTS

THEIR PLACE IN POLITICS LABOUR QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE . (By Telegraph) i ■;"" (From "The Mail's" Parliamefatary ■' ' Reporter). I WELLINGTON, 20th ;Noiy, . Tho Prime Minister was asked .by the Leader- of Hie Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) in'tho House of Representatives to-day whether he proposed next session to introduce legislation to enable members of/the Public Service to become candidates for Parliament at the next general election without being compelled to resign their positions and forfeit their superannuation rights. "I suppose," said Mr Holland, "that the Prime Minister knows a number of public servants arc likely to bo candidates at the next election. Mr Coatos replied that he had not been taken into the coniidence of the public servants in tho way that Mr Holland had. "I was speaking from a party point of view," replied Mr Holland. "I was thinking of all the servants who will be Labour candidates. Possibly there will bo Reform candidates." ' Mr Coates: "I have not had an indication of one who is going to stand iu the Government's interests." (Laughter). *Mr Holland: "Is it as bad as that?" (Laughter). The Prime Minister said he doubted very much whether they could really make it more convenient for public servants to take up politics. Mr W. S. Glenn,;. "If they had any sense thev'd stick to their jobs." Mr Peter Eraser: "You look after Rangitikei." Mr Coates said that he knew the position quite well, but he would say that Mr Holland's question could quite well be answered next session.'; "I'll bear it in mind," concluded Mr Coates, "and"let him know whether any alteration is likely to be made."