The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1931. A MATTER FOR INTELLIGENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1931. A MATTER FOR INTELLIGENCE.

It is interesting to read of the various resolution* re a: tied at meetings of the Civil Service witn regard to the coming wage cut. and tnu line of protest taken. In t-no public service the people would expect a showing of some common sense m dealing with any matter, and a degree of intelligence which would indicate that the position was appreciated at its true worth. Those in the Civil Service are in “sheltered” jobs which enrry regular pay and have a system of personal insurance under which, upon retiring, the officer has a settled income, it is true that that fund is contributed to by the individual members of the service, but the country lias accepted the obligation of keeping the various superannuation funds solvent, and from tim e to tune substantial votes are made for that purpose. The Civil Service in the matter of employment, enjoys a security of a future- which falls to the lot of no other employee or worker, and being in favoured circumstances, certainly lias muc-h to be grateful for in times of stringency such as the present when the community as a whole is faced with the all round stringency besotting the country. Judging by the terms of many of the resolutions passed by the various branches of the Civil Service, one is forced to the conclusion that there is a lack of appreciation of the financial position of the the country at the present juncture. Apart from the clear review of the situation broadcasted by the Prime Minister in bis lengthy statement, there is the obvious knowledge which should be current as to the great drop in produce prices, the consequent fall in export values, and the shortage of money coming into the country The daily press provides regular news of the plight of the country as revealed by the effect on farmers and settlers, and the general condition of business. The substantial decline in stock and bonds is another indication, for many gilt ended securities show a heavy decline. The fall in dividends of going concerns is another indication of the general state of affairs, and the general state of the financial barometer is such that it should he realised on all sides that the prospects do not indicate clear conditions. If this is realised intelligently by the Civil Servants as a whole, we should hope for a more helpful attitude from that quarter in the desire to help the country at tills juncture. In good times the Civil Service had its innings without demur, but it follows when adversity overtakes one, there must be a reasonable adjustment- to- the altered state of affairs. There 1s a disposition in places for the Civil Service to consort with those disposed to he extreme in Labour leadership. We read of a desire on the part of the Civil Service “to support any action taken to combat’’ the proposal of their employees (the Government). Also a Labour union enters the list to entice the Public Service workers to unite in “a joint plan of campaign to fight tile proposed reduction” of salaries. Tf the Civil Service is invoiglilcd into such a mcssallinnce with the object or purpose of any overt act against the community, we shall indeed ho surprised at 'such a lack of Intelligence from a quarter where the brains of the community should be present in plenty. Politics are said to provide strange bedfellows, and if the situation leads up to extreme political action through any encouragement from the responsible officers of the Civil Service, the rank and file, we arc sure, in the end will have reason to regret so ill advised a step. The situation of New Zealand to-day calls for intelligent consideration of the situation without delay in meeting financial difficulties now so seriously besetting the country’s unity, and not disunity, is called for to save the credit of New Zealand.