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Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1930, Page 4

The Government gives practical evidence from time to time of its ability to stand firm to general principles of administration, despite the fact that the official opposition delights to twit it with being under the thumb of another party, Several instances could he mentioned including its detonninaetion to do something definite towards the permanent ellevintion of unemployment the extensive attitude regarding the film tax j an dits definite effort to re-, duce costs of administration in the face of much opposition. The latest stand which must give very general satisfaction because of the outside pressure brought to bear, was in respect to the dismissed postal officials. It would liave been a sad day for public administration in this country if in the face of the opposition raised in Parliament, the Government had given way to the pressure brought to bear on it, not only by a prominent section of the Labour mem hers, but also by many leading city members not allied with Labour. Here the Government stood to a great principle, and it comes through the test with the fullest credit. The attempt was made to prove that the gravamen of the official offence affected betting poc tivities only, but the Postmaster-Gen-eral declared the 1 claim to secrecy of public and private business was at stake in the abuse of the information passing through the office. Such being the ca.se, no self-respecting administration could tondone such an offence. More particularly as the cases were in vestigated first by the Postal Board of Enquiry composed of men of the ucouneds' own peer, and inter independently by a Magistrate, The conditions ns to the nature of the offence appear to have been definite and consequently the verdict must stand irrevocable, }f public morality is to be considered of any value. It is noticed with much satis* faction that the Press generally is applauding the attention of the Government. and in this deela”ed expression of public opinion there is implied all that is best in the public ndministraton being maintained at the highest level of morality despite the fate of political duties. It is n healthy significance fn such a changing age,