CIVIL SERVANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21668, 11 June 1932, Page 12

CIVIL SERVANTS

SIGNATURE OF PETITION PRIME MINISTER’S ASSURANCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. • A definite assurance that no action will be taken against civil servants under section 69 of the Finance Act who may sign a certain petition now in circulation was given to a Labour Party deputation which waited on the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Labour (Mr A. Hamilton) to-day. The deputation comprised the local Labour members of Parliament. Mr Forbes interpreted the petition as a Labour manifesto, and said definitely that he would not dismiss a civil servant if he found his signature on the petition. If the servant was foolish enough to believe that a petition of that description, circulated for political, party purposes, could have any bearing whatever on Government or Parliament —“ well,” said Mr Forbes, “ I don’t think an act of that kind will involve a breach of the Statute. It shows a not-intelligent view.” (Laughter.) Mr Forbes also stated that if a public servant canvassed a petition in the public service to get signatures on behalf of the political party in power, that would be taking part in politics. The regulation was that they should not interfere with politics—that is, take up party sides. /