STAFFS DEPLETED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 51, 10 December 1940, Page 3

STAFFS DEPLETED

THE POST OFFICE IN WARTIME.

GIRLS AS TELEGRAPHISTS.

(Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 9

“The Post Office, in common with the rest of the community, is feeling the effect of the war in many directions. Not the least important is the temporary loss of officers serving with the Army, Navy and Air Force,” said the .Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) to-night. “From the normal working staff of 12,000 voluriteers for overseas numbered more than 1600. Of these 1061 liaYe already been released. The remainder are either waiting to enter camp or have not been accepted for military service. “Disregarding married men, employees under age ; and female employees, voluntary enlistments represent a third of the eligible officers,” said Mr Webb. “In addition to enlistments for overseas service, more than 500 junior officers of the Post Office staff are now in Territorial camps, and 200 more volunteers will enter camp in the New Year. In addition, 1100 were drawn in the first and second* ballots. Many of these will be required to commence training in January. The release of «o many officers calls for reorganisation, and the position has been met so far with but slight restriction of services. “As the outcome of staff overhauls, many officers have been released without being replaced. Increased hoiirs of duty have been accepted by the remaining staff in a commendable spirit. Some economies in manpower have been effected by slight restriction in services. The co-operation of citizens in this connection, and in meeting the request for the erection of gate letterboxes to assist postmen, has been most helpful. In addition, relief is being obtained from the employment of female labour on work that is suitable for females. Some 200 girls are now in training. Machine printing telegraphy, with, its touch typing operation, comes under this heading. The training of young girls hi this work has borne such good results that 42 are now employed as full working units in telegraph officers. “There have naturally been heavy demands on the department’s staff of ra'dio telegraphists. The need for a reserve of trained radio operators quickly became apparent. This was met by setting up a school for training telegraph cadets as radio operators, in addition, recruits to the Royal New Zealand Air Force who are waiting to enter camp are being given training in Morse telegraphy, many telegraphists voluntarily giving their own time in providing instruction. At presorit there are 73 classes in 37 towns, and 2240 Air Force trainees are receiving instruction from 150 instructors.

“To-day the Post Office is carrying on with 600 less staff than in September 1939. It is doing this notwithstanding further calls made upon it in administering the oil fuel regulations, etc., and in spite of difficulties inseparable from working with, partly inexperienced staff's. The most recent largescale job- to be entrusted to the Post Office concerns the recently-launched national savings movement. Not only is the Post Office organising the -‘cheme among staffs in the business world; but its own officers are saving in a manner reminiscent of their response to the appeal for national patriotic donations. Officers of the 'Post Office were among the first to make mass and regular contributions to the national and provincial patriotic funds. The sufii now being contributed by them to. patriotic, funds amounts to between £SOOO and £6000; annually.”