PETONE PUBLIC MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 8

PETONE PUBLIC MEETING.

CIVIL SERVANTS & LOCAL BODIES. A public meeting was held at St. Augustine's Hall, I'etone, last evening, to protest against the "disfranchisement" of Government Servants. Mr. J. W. M'Ewan occupied tho chair. He read ail apology from Mr. T. M. Wilford.

A communication was received from Addington stating that a similar meeting would bo held there at an early date. Telegrams wero also road from other Civil Servants in various parts of tho country.

Councillor T. Townsend was Ihe chief speaker. Hp said that it was the right of every citizen to take part in municipal government. About of), 000 employees wero affected in New Zealand through tlio regulation, which did not allow Civil Servants to sit on local bodies. There was nj reason why this .15,00(1 should bccomo mere "voting machines." This country v,-anted freemen not bondmen. Other employees were allowed this right, and why should it not be so in Government works? Ho hoped that, the matter would not l;o allowed (o fizzle out. If necessary, candidates at next election should be circularised. He criticised the action of the Department in what he termed "banishing" one of the policemen from Auckland to Greymouth. In conclusion, he moved: —"That this meeting of citizens emphatically protest against the restrictions now placed upon Railway and Civil Servants in local and political matters, and demands tlmt the Government introduce legislation at the next session of Parliament to givo to all Government employees full civil and political rights." (Applause.)

Mr. B. C. Warnes seconded 'the resolution.

Mr. Piper also spoke, as did Councillor H. Fintllay and Mr. G. .Tones.

It was further resolved to set up a coi'iniitlce consisting of Messrs. J. W. M'Ewan, B. C Warnes, 11. Findlny, niul W. Cox; and (hat a deputation wait upon tho Minister in charge with a view to pressing the cmestion end endeavouring to secure legislation to this cud. '