Attitude Of Executive In Cecil Holmes Case

Chronicle (Levin), 22 January 1949, Page 3

Attitude Of Executive In Cecil Holmes Case

GISBORNE, Jan. 21. iStrong objections to tlie aetion of the Domiiiion exeeutive of the Public Serr vice AsHoelatioa in committing itself and the general membership to the support of a dismisaed eniployee in a legal aetion against the Government were expressed at a meeting of Gisborne departmental representatives. Resolutions were passed, the contents of whieh were not diselosed, for transmission to the association. Points discussed included the possible elfect on the association ;s standing with the publie as a result of the national executive's support of Cecil Holmes, the possible involvement of the association in legal actions, and the importanee of keeping the Holmes issue separate from questions on whieh the national executive had been negotiating with the Government on salaries and wages. Some members took strong exeeption to the national executive countenaneing an association member whose politieal eonnections and whose tactics in pursuit of his sectional organisatioa in the association were alike xegarded as

foreign to the purposes and poliey of the Public Service Association. Speakers asked whether the national executive approved the-terms in whieh Mr. Holmes dealt with. his colleagues in. the section covering the National Film Unit and whieh seemed to regard the rank and lile of the Publie Serviee as mere ciphers. It was stated that in approying a grant of £25 t'o Holmes and assuring him of support in a eertain legal aetion the national executive acted without eonsulting the opinion of members of the association. No communication was received by the Gisborne braneh as to local reaetions on the Holmes case or information on the decisions of the executive. Suggestions regarding" the appointment of a full-time paid president and for placing honorary offieers on a paid basis were regarded as radical departures from the eonstitutional system of the association and should only be undertaken with the consent of a' majority of members of the association.' The majority of those present felt that the course of events to date had already eommitted the association too far on a course they could not approve on the information available. Members held that the complete divoreing of association issues from party politieal issues was regarded as absolutely necessary in the interests of the Publie Serviee generally.