POSTAL OFFICERS' PETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1922, Page 11

POSTAL OFFICERS' PETITION.

COMMENT ON COUNTERSTROKE. (Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, Fridaj The general secretary of the lost a» Telegraph Officers' Association holds tlif. opinion that a number of facts assocV ated with the petition against the organisation joining the Alliance of Labour prove that this counterstroke was officially fathered. At any rate much, he says, requires to be explained. For instance, said Mr. Combs, some of the tactics employed by those handling the petition were so distinctly intimidatory that one can only conclude that senior officers employing them were >doing so under instructions, possibly exceeding their instructions in some instances. One controlling officer of a large staff called up his subordinates in relays. After placing the petition before them he urged them to sign and took special note of the names of those who declined to do so, and told at least one man that as Parliament would legislate this session to prohibit affiliation he might just as well sign the petition. If he did not he would be only bumping his head against a brick wall. It would do him no good. In another branch six of the leading hands were called into their chief's room to discuss the petition, and the second in command was also present. A very senior controlling officer also took part at a special vantage point in the city and waylaid those members of his staff who passed him during the morning in order to put the petition before them. Another minor controlling officer was detailed by the head of his branch to go round to certain members of the outdoor staff to secure their signatures. An official motor car was placed at his disposal. In one of the largest country post offices it is reported that the staff were called in turn into the postmaster's room and the petition submitted for signature. Taking into account the fact that it was the senior controlling officer who undertook these duties in each instance, it will be seen, says Mr. Combs, that there is but one conclusion to.be drawn. Further, remembering the fact that the petition made its appearance in every office throughout the Dominion at the same hour of yesterday morning, and that it was the senior officer of each office or branch in whose hands it was placed it should be quite clear to disinterested observers that the petition was officially engineered. According to reports, Mr. Combs added, the petition had had a very mixed reception. In some cases only a few officers refused to sign, while in others practically the whole of the staffs concerned would have nothing to do with it. A' petition got up in this way is not worth a second's consideration, continued Mr. Combs, as it does not convey a free unfettered opinion of those signing it. Tt could hardly be expected that with the "boss" standing over them ard giving them only a moment or so for consideration, that signatures would not be obtained. The tactics employed cannot be too roundly condemned, and the service through its association will take wood care to bring them very forcibly to the notice of members of Parliament ft an early date, and also when the petition if presented for consideration by trie ■PnrMsiment.arv Committee to which it will be referred.