POLITICAL BIGHTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 6

POLITICAL BIGHTS.

CIVIL SERVANTS' POSITION.

PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS. [by telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON. Monday. Commenting on a statement to the effect that at a meeting of the Thorndon branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, regret was expressed that Mr. Massey had not given effect to a promise made by him in Parliament in 1920 in regard to full civil and political rights for State employees, the Prime Minister said the statement was not cjuite candid. "It reforred to a promiso given in the House the session before last, that I would introduce such a measure," he said. "The Bill was introduced and placed before the House and agreed to. It was, however, thrown out by the Legislative Council. The clause was again ready for introduction during the recent session, in the form of a short Bill, but along with several other matters was held back in order to make room for more urgent business. There is no reason why it should not be introduced next session. "My recollection is that there are already some 52 railwayraen who arc members of local bodies, such as borough councils) town boards, etc., and to this no objection has been taken. As a matter of fact, in my capacity as Minister for Railways, I gavo permission to railway servants to become candidates for Parliament."