"SLAP IN THE FACE" FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 October 1946, Page 5

"SLAP IN THE FACE" FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

R.S.A.'S INDIGNANT PROTEST SELECTION OF COMMISSIONER WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. Indignant1 protests were expressed by members of the N.Z.R.S.A. Dominion executive committee last evening when the appointment of the members of the Public Serviee Commission was under diseussion. Charges were made that the representations made by the association had been ignored and the letter written to the Prime Minister on the subjeei merely acknowledged. It was decided to make a most emphatic protest to the Prime Minister at the faet that in none of the three appointments made by the Government was a returned serviceman seleeted ana that the claims of many high-ranking administrative officers in the Public Serviee who were returned servicemen had been overlooked. The following official statement by the N.Z.R.S.A. was issued to the Press today: — "The R.S.A., has no quarrel with tne personnel appojnted but strongly protests that the principle of /preference for returned servicemen' has been enlirely disregarded by the Government in making the appointment. "When the retirement of Mr. J. H. Boyes was anriounced, the N.Z.R.S.A. wrote to the Prime Minister, askmg that in considering the new appointment, s the Government ,give consideration to the claims of high-ranking aaministrative officers of the Public Serviee who had served overseas with the Ai'med Forces. The * Prime Minister, merely acknowledged receipt of tne letter. "Tlie R.S.A. was always under the impression that the Government hart adopted the principle of 'preference for returned servicemen' but the impression appears to be erroneous. "The appointment is tantamount to saying that there ar'e no returfied servicemen in the whole of the Public Serviee (and they number over 7000) with the ability to hold one of the positions on the Contmission. If the Commission does not receive the loyalty of this section. of the serviee it ean scarcely- De wondered at. "It is also a definite rebuff to the.request of tho R.R.A. when it asked that preference be given to returned servicemen when the appointments were bcmg made, and the strongest protest is 'to oe made to the Prime Minister. "The- R.S.A. again reiterates that Jip serviee to the question of preference is useless. What is required is the praetical application, and in this case the Government had the opportUnity Of appointing a returned serviceman from many suitable members of the Public Serviee, but failed to accept it. " The statement eoncludes by declaring that returned servicemen throughout New Zealand and partieularly those m the Public Serviee will feel they have had a "slap in the faee" from tne Government as a reward for their war serviee.