CIVIL SERVICE PURGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 161, 7 June 1940, Page 6

CIVIL SERVICE PURGE

EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN. DISMISSALS CONTINUE. ■ WELLINGTON, June 7. The purge from the Public Service of employees suspected of subversive activities is continuing. An extensive campaign has been, launched to rid all Government departments of persons whose activities are opposed to tho national war effort, or otherwise render them unfit to act as servants of the State in time of war. During tho past • few days many civil servants have been summoned befort the authorities to explain thenactions or sayings. Some have been reprimanded aud warned, others summarily dismissed. Among; the latter are Communists, Friends of the Soviet Union, pacifists, and persons opposed to enlistment and . tho sending of troops overseas. OFFICER’S RESIGNATION. While many of the persons concerned are young men' of, extreme opinions, some are men of long standing in the service. A Lands and Survey Department employee at Wellington has handed in his resignation alter 3s years in the department and been retired on superannuation, after an investigation into charges of subversive activity. It is understood that, in view of his long service, by permission of the 'Minister, lie was given the opportunity to retire on superannuation as an alternative to dismissal. No highly-placed officials are known to be involved. Most of the culprits are in subordinate positions. No cases of leakage of information, or of. communicating with the enemy, or similar charges, have been reported. In most cases the offenders have transgressed in propagating views in conflict with tlie public welfare and war effort, or participating in activities prejudicial to recruiting, or belonging to societies or organisations professing subversive opinions. . ' ... Power to dismiss from the Pu one Service any officer guilty of any disgraceful or improper conduct, or or any act or conduct; either in his official capacity, or otherwise, showing his unfitness to remain in the service,_ is given in the regulations. Subversive conduct or statements as defined in the war regulations would, of course) constitute improper conduct. POSITION OF REFUGEES.

Though at least one rerugee immigrant is known to be concerned in the purge, the drive is not believed to be against aliens in particular. No person other than a British subject by birth may be employed in the Public Service except by the special approval or the Governor-General; presumably all aliens in the Public Service have that permission. . , The comparatively small number ot foreign reiugees in the Government service were employed because, it is stated, they possessed specialised qualifications of skill or technical knowledge that enabled them to fill f jobs for which there were no New Zealanders qligible. Their cases were carefully investigated before they were admitted to the Dominion, arid were again surveyed when they were admitted to the Public Service. Such persons would be subjected to more careful surveillance than British-born ' public servants. _ - The purge has naturally roused-great interest among public servants. While the majority have, of course, no ■ reason for alarm, others w’lio evidently hold subversive views or consider themselves likely to come under the scope of the campaign are naturally bitterly opposed to it. It is stated that at least one high official in the Public Service has received anonymous and threatening letters,, while there has also been a spate of letters accusing fellow workers of subversion,, or giving warning against their activities. MINISTER’S COMMENT.

“The least- that anybody born in New Zealand, or anyone who lias adopted this country, can do while lie is receiving all the benefits of the high standard of living and liberty of citizenship given here is to pull Ins weight, and to give every assistance, both of physical effort and moral support, to the nation,” said the Minister of Lands, (Hon. F. Langstone), in. an interview. He said that the man who had retired was a capable worker, but his activities had been questioned. Those citizens who were so antisocial, or held decided opinions, about New Zealand’s action in co-operating and uniting with the Motherland in the struggle, must obey .the law and refrain from offending the public conscience. The least they could do was keep quiet and cease any subversive propaganda or other activities which militated against the general forward movement of the country. That applied not only to persons in the sheltered position of a Government job, but 1 to every'citizen. “If I have anybody in the service, who is not doing the right tiling it is certainly my duty as Minister to take action when the matter is brought to my attention,” Mr Langstone said.

SUBVERSIVE CIRCULAR. Notice of the following question lias been given in the Legislative Council by Hon. C. J. Carrington:— / “That, iri view of the urgent necessity of. true co-operation and united effort in war preparation by all loyal British citizens in this Dominion during this critical time, the Government be asked to take immediate and definite steps to prevent the production and distribution of disloyal and seditious propaganda and baleful .influences such as that contained in a circular recently forwarded: to" members of. this Chamber signed and published by Mr V. M. Bell, examination tutor on the staff of Canterbury College, and that authors of, and those' who circulate, such dangerous propaganda be immediately interned.” . -