CIVIL SERVANT CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18547, 22 August 1928, Page 6

CIVIL SERVANT CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS.

PRIME MINISTER MAKES STATEMENT IN HOUSE. (Special to the “ Star. ”) WELLINGTON, August 21. “ I know the request means a good deal so far as the hon gentleman’s party is concerned.” said the Prime Minister when he was asked by the leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E Holland, in the I louse to-day what was the decision of the Government regarding the preservation of the rights and status of Civil Servants who become political candidates at next election, and who if defeated wish to return to their position. The Prime Minister said he did not wish to argue the matter, but the difficulty of the position was obvious. A Civil Servant could not serve two masters. Departmental heads had raised objections to anything of the kind, and had always opposed the idea that a Civil Servant who was a candidate should not suffer disability The arrangement in the past was that a Civil Servant wishing to be a candidate had to resign. That was the law If unsuccessful he was reinstated. The difficulty then arose that he could not occupy the same position as when he went out. Mr Holland: He loses his status. The Prime Minister: He goes back on exactly the same pay, but loses his status. Temporary employees, such as permanent casuals, suffered but little disability, but if a man had been a member of the superannuation fund and a permanent employee he did suffer some disability. The Prime Minister undertook to facilitate the Government’s final decision in the matter.