THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 5

THE CIVIL SERVICE.

PARLIAMENTARY RIGHTS.

CANDIDATES AT ELECTION. BILL PROVIDING FACILITIES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The second reading of the Legislature Amendment Bill was moved in the House to-night. The Hon. Sir William Herries explained that it was introduced in accordance with a promise given by the Prime Minister. The Bill, he said, was designed to enable civil servants to stand for Parliament if granted leave by the Public Service Commissioner. No salary would be paid during the time he was contesting the election.

Mr. T. M. Wilford Leader of the Opposition) supported the Bill as giving public servants deserved liberty. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), while recognising that the measure marked some measure of progress, urged that it was unfair that the Public Service Commissioner should have the decision whether a public servant might stand for Parliament or not.

Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) suggested the Government might add to the Bill a system of preferential voting, by which second preferences were given to first and second candidates by voters for the third and subsequent candidates. This would serve to keep the promise made by the Government years ago to put something in place of the second ballot. He would move in this direction in committee.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party), complained that the Bill did not confer all citizenship rights on public servants. It should be mandatory on a. department to grant leave to any puulic servant who decides to stand for Parliament. Mr. Holland contended a public servant should have the same right as a member of the public to go on the platform and criticise the Government if he felt impelled to do so. He should have exactly the same right as a private citizen to a voice in the affairs of the country. He would move in committee an amendment to this effect. The Hon. W. D. Stewart declared Mr. Holland’s proposal would be inimical to the welfare of the public service and the public, and would result eventually in something like the system which prevailed. in the United States, where formerly the civil service became part of a political machine and changed with a change of administraiton. Mr. Stewart, considered the Bill with its limitations went just as far as it was advisable to goSir William Herries. replying, said the Government had no control over members of “another place,” therefore it was unfair to suggest that the Government was not genuinely anxious to see the Bill passed. The limitations in the Bill were designed to prevent departments being dislocated by the absence of the responsible men at the head. Civil servants were being given an advantage over an ordinary employee in that they would have the right of resuming their position if unsuccessful at the election. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. ,

In committee, Mr. Holland moved to delete the requirement that leave be obtained by civil servants desirous of standing as candidates for Parliament. The amendment was defeated by fortyseven votes to twenty-five. Mr. McCallum then moved a 'new clause on the lines indicated in his speech dealing with preferential voting. This was defeated by fifty-three votes to nineteen.

Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) moved a new clause providing for the application of proportional representation to the election of members of Parliament. This was defeated by forty-eight votes to twenty-seven.

The Bill was reported without amend ment, read a third, time, and passed.