THE RIGHT OF VETO.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1919, Page 5

THE RIGHT OF VETO.

STATEMENT BY GENERAL j MANAGER. | By Telegraph.—Press Assoefctlon, " Wellington, Last Night, The General Manager of Railway* (Iff ..q R. W. McVilly), in the course of a state* 'j ment regarding the Longton cue, says "* that the question for the consideration j of the department was whether Longtqn, Who, the Appeal Board found, had on ,'i occasions adopted an insubordinate attl* J tud'e towards his superior officers, was ' fitted for and deserved prjmotion to a higher grade. Tno regulations of the ) department definitely provided that the ! road to promotion should be efficiency. • merit, good conduct and suitability. It ~' was the practice to review the railway \ staff once a year. When the review of '■ 1918 was made, it was considers! that Longton, by reason of his insubordinate conduct, was not suitable for promotion $ to the next grade, and it was against '. that decision that he appealed. Promotion to the next grade would have placed Longton in a position of responsibility, i where he would have to control ana j maintain discipline of a staff vtrytilg in * number according to his location. It was clear, from the board's decision, *hMj they recognised that Longton was insubordinate and deserving of pfapish,ment. "Surely," M:. McVilly sttttas, "the , interval which separates a member from one meriting promotion is cuffictortly / great to need no emphasis. Tie dnanment has neither ) educed nor iHowumi} . 1

Longton, nor has it inflicted direot pm« iahment for insubordination. What has been done in effect places Loogtan in exactly the same position aa any other member who considered he vrn disqnaUfled for promotion ty reason of tmsstiffactory work or conduct of any kind." The view taken by the department ma that the promotion of Longton place a premium on ingoboraroatian indiscipline, and would have a pertddoo* influence on the«staff of the service. Minister had, on more than one occasion in replying to representatives for the abolition of the veto, stated that he was willing favorably to consider this request, provided the depattment Jtal proper representation on toe board. Tho suggestion for the alteration of the constitution of the board in this direotfon was rejected by the societies repreunting the employees. That be'ng the present position, it was clear that poblie interest must be protected by the right of veto being retained by the responsible authority. The statement concluded by pointing out that unanimous decisions of the board had been vetoed by each successive Minister of Railways from the isoeptSon of the board.