RAILWAY SERVICE A CLOSE DIVISION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1920, Page 3

RAILWAY SERVICE

A CLOSE DIVISION

RIGHTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. The new Leader of the Opposition made the reduction of a vote a policy question to-day and very nearly scored a success. Immediately the Railway Estimates were reached in the House of Representatives, Mr Wilford moved that the total vote be reduced by £5, as an indication that the time has arrived when the Government can fairly grant full political and civil rights to public servants. Mr Wilford did not ■'speak to his motion, and no other member speaking, it went to a division at once. The division list was as follows: AYES, 30. Bertram Craigie J. McC. Dickson. Edie i

Forbes Fraser Hanan Holland Horn, Howard Isitt Jennings JMcCombs Masters “Mitchell Dr Newman Parry Poland Savage Seddon Sidey S. G. Smith Statham Sullivan Sykes Thacker Veitch Wilford Witty Wright NOES, 30. ' Bitchener Bollard Coates Field Glenn Guthrie J. It. Hamilton A. Hamilton Henare Herries Hockley Hunter Jones Lee Luke Lysnar McNicol Mander Massey Nash E. Newman Nosworthv Pomare PowdrelJ Reid R. H, Rhodes T. W. Rhodes Stewart Urn Young Pairs, McCallum Hudson Tile Chairman (Mr Malcolm) said—■As I understand these rights are already given, I will give m.v vote with the “Noes.” The “Noes” have it.

Mr Fraser (Wellington Central). —Is that a statement given with the authority of the Prime Minister. Mr Massey.—Yes. Members ought to know that railway servants have practically full civil rights now. Aye allow them to become members of local bodies, even Mayors of Borough Councils. At tire last general election two men employed in the Railway workshops wanted to become candidates and I permitted both. I offered to put both of them hack in the Railway Service after the election. Only one of them wanted to come back. I allowed this division to go, because I wanted to see what would take place, and then take tho opportunity of explaining that the railway servants have got the rights they asked for.

Mr Holland (Buffer).—IThey 1 They have not got thcih as rights, they get permission. They qre not allowed to sit as delegates at a political conferences. I have a letter that (von wrote to me on the point. Mr Massey.—l should be very sorry to see railwaymen taking part in some of the conferences to which you rfifflr. I have never stopped one of them. They can do what they like. Mr Hampton, who is President of the A.S.R.S. has taken part in political conferences over and over again. * Mr Holland.—l have a letter from you saying they will not be permitted to take part, Mr Massey.—l don’t care what the lion gentleman has got. I have stated the position and I know what has taken plaoe. Prior to 1912 they did not have the right which they were entitled to. They have got them now. Mr Veitch (Wanganui) stated that the railwaymen mentioned by the Prime Minister had been required to resign before they stood for Parliament at the general elections. One of them, a casual employee, had rejoined the service The other had not rejoined, and it appears that if he had done so.he woulc} have had broken service, with the 'consequent loss of superannuation. Mr Massey retorted that has now been put. to the House and the House had said “No.” For that the public servants could thank the members on tho other side of the House, , raw—