P. AND T. TROUBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 7

P. AND T. TROUBLE.

RE-ELECTION OF DELEGATES. PROTEST AGAINST APPEAL BOARD'S DECISION. The re-election of Mr. E. H. Brown, Telegraph Engineers' Office, Auckland, and -Mr. R. B. Reynolds, Supervisor Postmen, Christchurch, to the positions vacated by them as a protest against a recent decision of the Appeal Board, is referred to as follows by the "Katipo," the P. and T. organ: — "Their re-election brings up the allimportant question of what should be done next. We have already indicated that, in our opinion, should the service endorse the action of Messrs. Brown and Reynolds, the chairman and the departmental representative should resign, as such endorsement would be a direct indication of lack of confidence in them in the responsible positions of members of the Board. The Appeal Board, to function properly, must be backed by the confidence of the service, in whose interests it was established by Parliament. It is there to adjust grievances. If it cannot lie approached with every confidence, then grievances which should be investigated and forgotten will be nursed by the officers concerned. It is clear to us that if grievances arc harboured in this way they will soon btgin to rankle, and to that extent will the loyalty and goodwill of the officer towards his job be undermined. The Appeal Board w-as specially created as an outlet for grievances. Lack of confidence in the board closes the outlet, and just as a drain that is closed breeds all kinds of trouble, so the closing of the Appeal Board outlet will be prejudicial to departmental interests. We sincerely hope the department will realise the truth of this, and take the necessary steps to rehabilitate the Appeal Board n the minds of officers."