MAREO’S FATE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 8

MAREO’S FATE

SENTENCE COMMUTED LIFE IMPRISONMENT [pr r Press Association] WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. Mareo’s death sentence has been commuted to imprisonment for life. lion to the party funds from the benefit they had derived from the raising of lhe exchange. Mr. Parry claimed that Mr. Forbes had implied that the public service of New Zealand would be expected to return gratitude for the legislation now before the House. Mr. Forbes: No! Mr. Parry: There is no question about it! Mr. W. J. Polson (Opposition, Stratford) said there was no analogy between the request to the woolgrowers, which was for a voluntary contribution, though he personally had never been asked and knew nothing about it, and the provisions of the present Bill. Responsible civil servants had told him that they did not want the provisions of the Bill. Hon. H. T. Armstrong (Government, Christchurch East) said that everybody knew there had been a reign of terror in the Civil Service the last year or two and civil servants were not allowed to have a conscience. He referred to steps taken by the late Postmaster-General when the official organ of members of his department criticised the Government policy. Had the then PostmasterGeneral had his way he would have suppressed that journal. He challenged Mr. Polson to produce one civil servant who did not want the Bill. ' Mr. S. G. Smith (Opposition, New Plymouth): And you will sack him! Mr. Armstrong said he would like to see him because he would be interesting. If any civil servant did not want the rights given him in the Bill he need not use them. He claimed there was no civil servant who had been compelled to join an association or union. Opposition voices: Public works! Mr. Armstrong said the men on public works were not civil servants. Mr. Coates issued a challenge to the Government member: to produce any member of the Civil Service who had been forcea io resign because of membership of lhe Labour Party. Mr. Barclay was quite astray in the sentiments he had expressed that afternoon. Hon. R. Semple referred the House to the Finance Act, 1932, which gave the Government power to dismiss civil servants if they brought the Government into disrepute. Mr. Forbes: Would you allow it? Mr. Semple said he did not care what they.did to him so long as they did their duty to the State but when they abused their privileges and refused to give service that would measure up to the reward the nation would give them, then it was time to challenge them. He said he could give the names of dozens of men who were stampeded out of the Labour Party. Tnese men wrote to the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants asking if their jobs were safe if they remained members and the secretary issued a circular advising them to get out as quickly as they could and they got out. Mr. Semple thought the secretary gave the wrong advice. Four teachdrs in the Rongotai College who were members of the Kilbirnie branch of the Labour Party tendered their resignations immediately because their jobs were in jeopardy if they remained in the party. The short title was passed after nearly two and a-half hours’ discussion by 33 votec to 9. Speaking to Clause 2, Mr. Savage said he would have ar. amendment made in the Legislative Council providing that a civil servant must obtain leave of absence before commencing an election campaign. Clause 4 giving certain associations the right tc apply part of their funds for the furtherance of political ob jects was challenged but was passed by 34 to 19. The Bi'l was read a third time and passed and the House rose at 10.5 p.m.