NO DISLOYALTY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1932, Page 3

NO DISLOYALTY

POST AND TELEGRAPH. IN DEFENCE OF THE SERVICE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

HAMILTON, May 9.

Mr -W. F. Kent-Johnston, the President of the N.Z. Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, in an interview to-day, stated that, from recent- press comment it might he in.m-red (that, certain sections of the Public Service and officers of the Post and, Telegraph Department in particular, were disloyal. Nothing could lie further from the truth. The service was entirely loyal to the State and to the citizens comprising it; and this fvas a higher form of loyalty than any blind Party allegiance. If any emergency arose that loyalty would be proved, as it had been proved in the past. He continued: “The service labours under a disability, hut while the Government are its employers, the Government are also its judges, and its arbitrators, in ally dispute. With this in view, niy Association has been endeavouring for some years to secure the divorcement of the administration </• the service from party political control. Despite the “Jagging” of the service by portion of a special clause to he added to the Finance Bill, the service, both collectively and individuallv, will continue to exert its maximum endeavour h.v all fair and legitimate means, in its attempt to .secure the economic betterment of its members and of the general community. .As we previously stated to the Prime Minister, we are citizens first, and public- servants afterwards.”