ALOOF FROM POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20427, 2 December 1929, Page 10

ALOOF FROM POLITICS.

The secretary of the Public Service Association has stated that the policy of that organisation is to remain absolutely aloof from party politics. It has also been made public that the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association has decided not to support any political party. These two reaffirmations of a policy thought to have been settled long ago have become necessary because suggestions that it should be varied have come recently not from members of the organisations but from the field of politics itself. It is a testimony to the sound sense of those who direct these two great organisations of State servants that they should make it clear, promptly and decisively, that they will not be diverted from a course manifestly to their advantage by any specious promise of immediate gain. It is always a dangerous course for an association of individuals who, in their private capacity, can-subscribe to any political creed, to depart from the path of corporate impartiality. It is particularly undesirable that bodies charged with watching the interests of people directly in the employ of the State should tinge their policy with any party colouring. It is not much to ask of a public servant that in his official capacity he should know no party. It is, however, important for the general good that this should be demanded of him, and that there should be insistence in the demand. Similarly the official organisations of State servants can be expected to avoid identifying themselves with party divisions. This is a safeguard against political feeling creeping into the service. In any event, the associations have their own proper functions,, which can be carried out better untrammelled by party associations than they possibly could with such a handicap in the background It is best that the State services should have nothing to hope and nothing to fear from a change of Government. Nothing can givp greater assurance of this than Iho course reaffirmed by the two leading associations, which have made it clear that their policy of avoiding j official association with political par- ! ties .will be adhered to steadfastly.