THE STATE’S SERVANTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6326, 28 September 1907, Page 8

THE STATE’S SERVANTS

THEIR ACTIVITY IX POLITICS. A CASE OF SUSPENSION. Tho Ciiso Of Mr J. A. McCullough,' a tinsmith at tho Addington workshops, and chairman of the Christchurch branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, who was suspended by ilm Government for having expressed political ordnions, was referred to in tho House yesterday afternoon. The .society, at a meeting at which Air McCullough presided, passed a resolution condemnatory -of the Government's proposed labour legislation. Air I'll asked tho Premier, without notice, whether the report of Air Mo ('ullough’s suspension was correct? Ho said that Mr McCullough had been a. servant of tire Railway Department for twenty-seven years, in wliich ho held a foremost position. Ho had a family dependent upon him, and his suspension was a v'-ry serious matter. Ho (Mr FIB would be glad to hear from the Premier why this suspension had taken place. THE MINISTRY'S ATTITUDE. 'Sir Joseph Ward said it was a fact that. Mr v 'cL‘ullough had been suspended. There was a rule applying to aI I branches of tho Civil Service in this country which prohibited any public servant from taking an active part in politics: that rule had been in existence tor many veal's, at least for f wonty-fivc or thirty years. In the particular case in question it was officially reported to the Government that a certain resolution at a public mcct-i-o- to-i i 'v—.fj by Mr McCullough. Full consideration was given to the matter by Cabinet, which had unanimously decided that tho officer in question should ho suspended and called upon to give reasons why lie I should not ho dismissed. Ho had noticed that it had been assumed that because the resolution passed at this inecang was adverse to tho Government that this had actuated the Government in its decision. That did not affect tho case in any sense whatever. The matter was reported on tho 6th September, the General Manager referred it to tho Minister of Railways upon September 9th, and it was re. ferred to Cabinet the same day. A decision was arrived at on September 23rd, and, knowing the importance of it, Ministers considered every aspect of it before deciding. Ho knew Mr McCullough personally, and knew him in every respect as a respectable and good man. (blear, hear). He had also heard it stated that the fact of j his having taken an interest in tho j endeavour to improve the position of hi* fellow employees in tho railway service might have brought about antagonism on tho part of some responsible officer of the Railway Department, but the General Manager in his memorandum had not attempted to prejudice tho position in any way whatever; he simply did his duty in* sending it on to tho Government. For himself, he (tho,Premier) had no other feeling but that of admiration for a man in a Government Department who did his best to assist his fellowworkers: the matter was officially reported and some step had to bo taken. In justification of that statement, ho wanted to remind members'? of two cases where the same rule had applied, and had been carried out by tho Gov-, ornmeht. These officers, declining to c;> fo*-'*' to tho rides of tho service, were dismissed —one in the Telegraph Department and the other in the Colonial Secretary's Department. In both cases the strongest representations were made to the Government to shut its eyes to what had occurred.

, DUTY OP THE GOVERNMENT. The Government, in a matter cf this sort, however unpleasant it might bo, had to do its duty, and if it made an exception in one case officially report- ■ cd, then it should do so in all cases reported officially. He thought that every member .of the House -would view’ such a matter, which was distinctly against regulations w’hioh had been in force for many years, dispassionately and impartially, unless Parliament chose to revoke the regulations, which had been made to ensure that people of all shades of political oni’"'inn, in dealing w’ith officers of the public service would not be prejudice t ; a their work. That was the reason wdiy a regulation of this kind was jin existence. No member of the Administration would for a moment attempt to interfere either with Mr Me('ullougn or any other officer because his political opinions w-ere opposed to the (jovernmenc, and ho was perfectly certain that oven the strongest opponent of the Government could not accuse them of vindictiveness. The regulation w r as there and had to bo carried out. It rested with Mr. McCullough himseif as to what might be done finally in a ease of this kind. No Government with full responsibility upon its shoulders could do anything else but what had been don© in this case. No member of the Ministry had the slightest feeling against Mr McCullough for what ho had done. The Government did not object to the political view of anyone in tho public service: they had a right to their own judgment in every possible way. but this matter was governed by an Order-in-Council dated January Bth, 1873. which provided that no officer of tho Civil Service shall take part in politics, and this order i was subsequently re-enacted. It also provided that no public officer shall sit on a» local body, as it would bring them into conflict with the public, which might interfere with their freedom in carrying out their duties

■Mr Barclay moved the adjournment of the House so that the question might ho discussed, but was ruled out' of order by the Speaker. Ho intimated that ho would take another opportunity of giving notice of motion. Sir Joseph Ward 'said this was a matter entirely for Parliament. If it decided otherwise, then the responsibility was taken olf tho shoulders of tho Executive. As it was the rule, the Executive must see that tho rule was carried out.

PKESS ASSOCIATION. r CHRISTCH (U(CH, September 27. Tho executive of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council last, evening passed unanimously tbo following motion" That this council strongly protests against the harsh arbitrary treatment meted out to Mr J A. McCullough in the manner of his suspension from tho railway service, as wo consider that tho railways are tho property of the people, and that the Government is managing them in trust for the people. We think that it is an unjustifiable wrong to dismiss any servant who is rightly performing his duty during working hours.” At last night’s meeting of the Wellington Political Labour League a resolution was carried protesting against the action of the Government,