PUBLIC SERVANTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19672, 14 December 1933, Page 8

PUBLIC SERVANTS

POLITICAL SUPPRESSION ALLEGED. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. December 13. When the vote for the Public Service Commissioner's office was under discussion in the House to-night. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Lab, Avon) asked what happened when extra assistance was required In Government Departments. Was the extra assistance approved by the Minister or the Public Service Commissioner? Mr Forbes said that the Minister approved the extra assistance and all appointments made by the Public Service Commissioner. Mr P. Fraser (Lab.. Wellington Central) referred to an incident arising out of the Lyttelton by-election. He said that certain young civil servants had asked questions at a meeting addressed by the Minister of Finance, and as a result there had been a departmental inquiry. That contrasted very strongly with the action of the head of the Taxation Department who had addressed a meeting at Christchurch in which he strongly criticised members of Parliament. In that case no action had been taken. Mr J. A. Lee (Lab , Grey Lynn) said that apparently there was a law for those who opposed the Government and another for those who supported it. From the Government's viewpoint apparently political liberty amounted to giving civil servants the right to sing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows." The Russian Tcheka was not in it with the Government when it came to political suppression. Mr Sullivan said It was only fair to say that the Commissioner of Taxes had expressed regret for making the statements he had. Mr W. J. Jordan (Lab.. Manakau't How did he account for the statements? Mr Sullivan: It was at a smoke concert A Labour Member It must have been pretty late in the evening. Mr Forbes did not reply, and the vote was passed.