THE POLITICS OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5767, 23 September 1879, Page 3

THE POLITICS OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. SIR,—We have for a long time past heard a great deal about Liberalism, and by some law of association which, I confess, I do not understand, our present Government, especially the Premier, is being identified with Liberalism. If Liberalism means equal rights and liberties to all, which I understand to be Liberalism, then our present Premier can lay claim to but a very distant relationship to it. But if, on the other hand, Liberalism means the blessing of one's friends and supplying their needs at the public expense, irrespective of their merit, then we have at present the most Liberal Government New Zealand has ever been blessed with, and the present Premier stands out as a paragon of Liberalism. And it is no idle rumor that he yet intends to be much more Liberal in the same direction, by displacing all those now in the Civil Service who do not come up to his standard, the test of fitness being that they will swear by him and by him alone, and supplying their places by such as are beyond doubt orthodox on the question of Qreyism. I therefore would advise Civil servants—especially under-secre-taries—to bear this fact In mind, and whatever may be their views or convictions, to be very careful to keep them to themselves, unless they are prepared to leave the service. Ido cot as a rule advise hypocrisy, yet in this case a little judicious simulation may not bo out of place, as’ it is rather a serious matter for a man with a family to endanger the regidar supply of their bread and butter.—l am, 4c., Elector.