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Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1931, Page 4

Our remarks of a few days ago regarding the intelligence being manifested by sections of the civil servants, provoked a reply from the executive officer of the local branch, but we do not know that the particulars given clarify the position at alii. The- deputation referred to which wailed on (lie Prime Minister, adopted a deal of spacious pleading unite foreign to the situation. They refused to recognise that ‘’the cupboard was bare/’ and unless Mr Forbes in the interests of the civil servants did not act promptly, there would not be a bone for the dog at all. Wo notice flic civil servants as a body continue to maintain that attitude. At Auckland this week, representatives of the organisation again associated themselves with the Labour party and in protesting, and proceeding further, went on in rather a veiled manner, to recommend all organised workers that the matter of future action he left to the respective national organisations of workers, and later meet to consider immediate action. If this is the attitude the public service is encouraging we can only say we believe it to be more unintelligent on their part than, even to recognise the necessity for the proposed cut. Their attitude savours of outright disloyalty to their employers, and the motion agreed to seems to convey a threat of something condign happening to the community if the cut is made. This is something more than a threat against, the Gov-, eminent, it is a threat against Parliament and the country at large, and it would be unpleasant indeed for the individuals of the civil service, if their attitude, was so accented by the country. What has been said by the Auckland resolution and similar motions at other places, is tantamount to a threat. No self-respected Government will stand rebellion in its own ranks, and the civil servants should have intelligence enough to realise that fact before it is too late. The Government is to stand or fall on its proposals, it the latter the civil servants will he- supreme, and that undoubtedly will be had for the future of New Zealand.