MR. T. E. TAYLOR’S VIEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2204, 7 October 1907, Page 1

MR. T. E. TAYLOR’S VIEWS.

Writing on tho recent suspension of Mr. J. A. M’Cullough for an alleged breach of the Civil Service Regulations, Mr. T. ]£. Taylor, ex M.H.R. for Christchurch city, writes in the Lyttelton Times as follows: — Mr. J. A. M’Cullough deservedly enjoys tho respect of overyono who has t>eon privileged to know him. Tho personal eulogies being littered by tlioso of his friends who aro protesting against his suspension aro not exaggerations of his merits. Ho has for years been, in my opinion, one of the highest typo representatives of the wago-earners of this colony. Widely read, unselfish, industrious, a man of broad sympathies, physically robust, with a smack of tho seaman about his genial mannor, lio has the power of. compelling confidence'and respect. Ilis friends should almost welcome the suspension incident because of the opportunity it affords them to express the admiration they feel for a man who has sacrificed

much for tho well-being of others. Having spoken of my friend let mo say that I am now going to discuss the incident now causing widespread dissatisfaction in this city and elsewlioro. My purposo in writing is to briefly refer to a great issue which is directly raised by the suspension of Mr. M’Oullough. When I was connected with political lifo I on soveral occasions contended for tho comploto political emancipation of State employees. Mr. M’Oullough’s suspension raises this question into tho rank of a first-class public issue, and his standing in tho political sphere is likely to force the issuo to a settlement beforo public interest in it abates.

For the sake of arguement wo will assumo that 20.000 men and women I are employed by the Stato in New Zealand. Tho regulation by virtue of which Mr. M’Cullough is suspended says: “Yeu may think what you pleaso”—and for that permission they need return no thanks, because no despotism of tho past has ever controlled freedom of thought—“you may vote as you pleaso, but your political views and convictions, any suggestions for political reform you may possess, any knowledge of necessary reforms you may be seized of—theso things you must keep absolute silence upon under penalty of loss of employment.” •

If this position is tenable, then tho 20,00 Stato employees are so many political serfs. If the State continues to extend its functions—and it will—and in a few years there are 100,000 persons in tho Dominion of New Zealand employed by tho State, then there will_ bo 100,000 political serfs, if the spirit of existing regulations is maintained and political silence is the penalty of State employment.

The fact is, that tho regulation under which Mr. M’Cullough lias been suspended is a survival of Toryism, and will have to bo repealed. It is an insult to democracy to say that because a man enters the public service lie must submit to political emasculation.

The chief safeguard of a democracy is freedom of speech. Free speech, based upon knowledge, is the only force sufficient to preservo a democracy from degeneration, and public services are certain to be more efficient, if it known by tlioso in responsible positions that any corrupt action oil their part may be denounced in the public interests by anyone possessing knowledge of the corrupt action, whether such an ono is a State or private employee. The Alinistry of the day is not the employer of anyone, except as trustess for the people as a whole. All State employees should regard the Stato interests as being paramount. Loyalty to the State may easily involve rebellion against a Alinistry or a political party. No State employees, any more than any private employee, can be permitted to disclose matters which come within his knowledge in the course of liis employment, unless a crimo is committed. If any public servant becomes aware that a -wrong has been perpetrated against the Stato, whether tlio wrong is done by a Alinister of the Crown or by a temporary clerk, ho is entitled to disclose the fact to the public whoso servants both the Alinister of the Crown and temporary clerk are. Not the Alinistry, or the party, or the Department, but the people only are to be protected. Loyalty to the highest interests of the State must bo the chief consideration of the State employee. The Premier is on safe ground when he defends the suspension of Mr. APCullough because lie had transgressed existing regulations, and he is right in saying that the political freedom exercised by Air. APCullough can only be conferred upon State employees by Parliament itself. I hope ho will give Parliament an opportunity, before the session closes of expressing its opinion upon the desirability. or otherwise of removing the disabilities at present imposed upon Stato employees. /Hie Government can have the gratitude of the democratic element in New Zealand politics if it will, removcgjthc barrier to free speech imposed upon Stato employees by Tory sentiment of generations ago.