P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 228, 19 May 1932, Page 4

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

The Government has decided to take certain action designed to eurtail the activities of the Post and Telegraph Employees' Association. The reason given for this somewhat surprising niove is that the political activities of the association are subversive of the discipline and morale of the service. The ontline of the Government's intentions published yesterday indicates that the privileges to be withdrawn, though they probably contribute considerably to the smooth working* of the Department in regard to staff matters, are such as any employer, public or private, is entitled to withdraw at will. It is, however, not nearly so clear that in acting as it has done and for the reasons given, the Government has acted wisely. Questions. of principle are involved which are not easily to be solved. One of the most valued privileges of British citizenship is the right of free speech on almost every question nnder the sun, including politics ; another is the right to form free associations for political purposes, provided that no action of an unconstitutional nature, or likely to be dangerous to the public peace and good order, or in any way of an illegal nature, is taken or intended. It will hardly be contended by the Government that the political activities of the P. and T. Association have brought, or are likely to bring it or its members under any of these bans. What, then, is the Government afraid of ? It claims a loss of morale and discipline, but, in the light of known f acts, are the association's politics a sufficiently serious threat to these desirable qualities to warrant the Government's drastic proposals. It seems to us that the answer must be a decided "No," and that therefore the Government has acted unwisely. In times like the present, when the people are daily being called upon to rnake sacrifices of one kind or another and to surrender temporarily, privileges which have been so long enjoyed that they have acquired, at least in the public mind, the force almost of natural right, action of an irritating nature s'hould, wherever possible, be avoided by the Government. The present instance seems to be an outstanding case of unnecessary irritation, which is almost certain to fail to achieve its purpose. Though it may strengthen the hands of the Department in matters of discipline it is probleipatical whether this advantage is sufficient to counterbalance the obvious disadvantages. Like all questions, however, this one has two isides. If the Government has acted unwisely, the association cannot claim that it has, in the past few months, invariably followed wise courses. A ru,le or custom very highly valued by the public and hitherto almost ' invariably observed by members of the public service, provides that, though they shall individually enjoy the full political privileges of citizenship, they shajl not take political action collectively. The traditions of the Givil Service of the Dominion are very high. This is the result largely* of the care with which it has been guarded from the contaminating touch of party politics. Rightjy, the public and* its members themselves, have always looked upon the service as abpve politics; as the servant of the people and not of parties. Unfortunately, one or two recent eveiits have rather shaken the public's faith in the imassailability of that tradition. ' This Ipss pf faith is quite unjustified, but if'tbe seryice as a whple is wise it will neglect np ppportuhity tp reaffirm its adherence te its high traditions.' This will involve tlie surrender of no rights'or priyileges and any small sacrifices, real or apparent, which may have to be made will be m'ore thgip copipensated for by ihe ihcreased strength which must sprmg from an unshakable public confidenqe in its members' ppjitical integrity. The Governpient has made a mistake— not the first one, unfortunately — but in so doing, it has given the ofijcers of the Posi and Telegraph pepartment' an excellent opportunity tp prove that, whatever others may' do," they at 'leaSt' have preservjed their high traditions apd* are aboye the reach of political pettiness. - ' " * " **" " • " " i