THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 6

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

A correspondent from whom we publish a letter this morning concerning the legislation of the recent session with reference to " disloyalty" in the public service seems to labour under a misapprehension on the subject. As it is possible that other members of the community share this misapprehension, it is desirable, though it should not be necessary, that the effect of the legislation should once more be explained. The legislation is directed to the removal from the public service of any person who has been " guilty of conduct calculated to incite, procure, or encourage grave acts of violence, lawlessness, or disorder," or has "by public statements, or statements intended for publication in New Zealand or elsewhere, sought to bring the government of New Zealand into disrepute " or has in any other manner been guilty of conduct "gravely inimical to the peace, order, or good government of New Zealand." It is difficult to conceive what valid objection there can be to the enactment of legislation of this description. It might be supposed that the previously existing law was adequate to purge the public service effectually of elements capable of conduct of the kind to which the passages we have quoted are applicable. Whether it was, or was not, however, it should be clear that there should be no room in the public service for persons who are so gravely deficient in their sense of the obligations of their positions as to bring themselves within the category of offenders against the recent legislation. Our correspondent seems to imagine that disapproval ; of the policy of the Government of the day would noAV render a member of the public service liable to dismissal. In this he is plainly mistaken. The letter-carrier whom he cites is free to express, as well as to hold, his political views. He does not, because he is a public servant, sacrifice his right as a citizen to air his opinions on political questions. But he has no right, and should have no right, to associate himself with any movement that is designed to defeat legislation which has been passed by Parliament or to offer defiance to Parliament or to interrupt and dislocate the business of the country in protest against the action of Parliament. He has to recognise that Parliament registers the will of the public which is his employer. Like the employee in any private business, he must comply with the decisions of his employer. There has lately, however, been a distinct tendency towards the abiise by a number of public servants in the Dominion of the liberties that are enjoyed by them. It is to be observed that in some other countries there are restrictions on the association of public servants that'are not imposed in New Zealand.