P. AND T. SALARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 255, 28 October 1929, Page 15

P. AND T. SALARIES.

PLAIN TALK AT REUNION.

POLITICIANS' SPEECHES.

STATEMENT BY MR. McNAMARA.

PLAYING TO PARLIAMENT'S TUNE,

"I was told I would get a hot time at the function this evening, but I know the Post and Telegraph .employees realise that they are only one part of the Civil service, and that they are not the only pebble on the beach," said the Hon, A. J. Stalhvorthy, Minister of Health, in the course of his reply to the toast of "Parliament" at the annual reunion of the Auckland branch of the Post and Telegraph Employees' Association on Saturday evening.

That "something would be doing" at the function was anticipated, and this was responsible for one of the largest gatherings in the history of the association. Proceedings lasted for nearly four hours, and the atmosphere was highly political. Members of the three parties in Parliament, and other public men, made speeches, all bearing on the subject that was in everybody's mind, the refusal of the Government to restore the salary "cuts." The Mayor of Newmarket (Mr. S. Donaldson) raised the question early when proposing the second toast, "Parliament." "Parliament Understood."

"Parliament in this country is Aery much understood," said Mr. Donaldson. '"Some members talk too much, and some sleep too much. Probably they do more of Avhat they should not .be doing than of what they should be doing. If they Avould be doing what they should, then this country would be much better." Mr. Donaldson referred to the question of salaries, and remarked that if the Government -had desired to give the P. and T. anything like satisfaction then a committee should be set up consisting of the Postmaster-General, the Leader of the Labour party, and Mr. A. Harris, MP. for Waitemata. But the Government had handed the responsibility on to others, Avho had said the job_ could not be done, as it Avould be too expensive. "People think Parliament runs this country, but I thiuk it is run by the Departmental heads," lie said. (Murmurs of dissent.) The last Government would not restore the "cuts." It was evidently not the intention of the present Government to do so, and there Avas only one other party to put in pOAver (applause). Here Mr. Donaldson paused, then continued; "I am not going to suggest the Labour party (laughter), but if they didn't, then ask the Departmental heads to do it. If they don't, then you can sack them." Mr. Donaldson, after making other references to members of Parliament of all shades, Avound up by saying he held the opinion that the P. and T. employees should have representation on the board. "Refer It To Newmarket."

"First of all I Avant to apologise for the unavoidable absence of the Post-master-General on account of illness," said the Hon. A. J. Stalhvorthy. "Next I Avould like to say that, after hearing the. remarks of his Worship the Mayor of Newmarket, perhaps it Avould be as

well if all political matters of this kind

were referred for settlement to the NeAvmarket Borough Council." (Loud laughter.) Mr. Stalhvorthy proceeded to talk on co-operation, and said when facing the problems of this country a

very Avide horizon was needed. It was perfectly true that throughout the Dominion the people believed Avhat the papers said, that members ,of Parliament slept and talked. But regarding the burning question of the revision of salaries and reclassification, he could say emphatically that no one party in the House had a monopoly of sympathy for P. and T. employees in their demands. The Minister hoped that that expression of opinion from him would eliminate any party feeling on that particular subject that evening. Whatever the position Avas, it had remained so from 1922 up to to-day. The present Government had only been in office U months, and if the injustice had extended over a period of six or seven years, was the position as claimed by the proposer of the toast ?

Finance the Difficulty. "I have heard members of all parties hold the opinion that if restoration of the 'cut 5 could be given, then it Avould be done. I just want to say that so far as the Government and Parliament is concerned,there is a genuine desire to recover the position in the P. and T. as well as in any other Government service," he declared. "But Avhere was the money coming from?". The position Avas not, howevei - , so hopeless as indicated by the previous speaker.

"I am not here to make promises," said the Minister, "but reclassification Avill be made." A basis of co-operation had to be found, and Parliament had to do everything reasonable for the Avhole community whatsoever.

Mr. Holland: Whatsoever? (Laugh ter.)

"He Doesn't Know Much About It." "May I thank the Mayor of NeAvmarket for. his kindly references to Parliament," said Mr. A. Harris, M.P., amidst roars of laughter. "He doesn't knoAv much about it, but I think he meant his remarks to be kindly." (Laughter.) Mr. Harris said, he believed the whole of the 80 members of Parliament desired to see the Public Service Avell looked after—provided finances Avere forthcoming. "When the Government sees its way clear to propose the restoration of salaries, then the Opposition will help the Government in the matter," said Mr. Harris. In making those remarks he thought he Avas also speaking for the other part of the Opposition, and that Mr. Holland Avould endorse that statement. Mr. Harris said his sympathy was with those in the top grade of the clerical and general branch of the P. and T. who Avere seeking restoration of salaries. It Avas his firm belief that every man in Parliament realised the great trust imposed on members, and each one of the 80 in the House was there carrying out that Avork to the best of his ability.

Reform's Failure. "Speaking on behalf of the most important party j n the House, I wish to express my own and my colleague's pleasure at being present," said Mr. H E. Holland, M.P., amidst laughter and applause. Apparently the Mayor of Newmarket bad endeavoured to ioke about Parliament, but Mr. Holland assured those present that Parliament was progressing, and as far as it was humanly possible it would progress. As far as that was concerned progress could only be along two lines, (1) by reasonableness and by moving forward by intellectual processes, and by Par-

liamentary institutions; (2) by the method of physical forces. Personally I he favoured the former, and he wished ito point ont that Parliament was supremely the greater of those forces. He heartily joined with those "who said, ''Let ns follow Britain" —and especially after the last election. (LouH laughter.) : There was a verse on the back of the programme which, in his opinion. expressed New Zealand's position to-day? It bepan: "Darkest nights will have a dawning." Mr. Holland said Reform had failed to restore the Civil Service salary cuts —-and that Government had made them. As far as the Labour party was concerned they would honour any pledges made. There was an obligation on Parliament to see justice done to the Civil servants. No case could be made out for delay. In 1921-22 the people had been told that the country had "turned the corner." But apparently it was still bciii£ turned. He Avas satisfied there was no shortage of money in this country, and he quoted banking figures in support of his contention. Nothing could be g-ained by dragging down standards, especially where livings were concerned. "It is the duty of Parliament to give you the best of conditions, because «a contented public service Tefleets on the whole country," he said. "The postal service is the connecting link in the whole operation of political and social services. The best is not being given that the country can give."

The Secretary's Views. "Parliament sets the tune and

endeavour to play it," said Mr. G. McNamara, secretary of the P. and T. Department, who replied to the toast of "The Department." In his opinion the VJI9 regrading was the best they ever had. To-day the P. and T. Department was the Cinderella of all State Departments; but their time would come. Some irresponsibles amongst the employees had been endeavouring to stir up strife; but he assured them all that that was a physical impossibility. The P. and T. Association realised that the "cut" was dead. Reclassification always came out by November, and ,it had been delayed this year deliberately to see what Parliament was going to do regarding the schedule. When it was found, the other day, that the schedule was to he delayed, it was decided to reclassify the service. Those waiting for back pay since April last would receive it. Mr. McNamara pointed out that the Act only provided for the schedule to be revised every five years'. Pve-classification could, be brought down every year, and one would come forward this year dating from April last. The only 'way for P. and T. employees to get more money was for every man in the Department to do his share, and pull his oar in the boat. Then his promotion would come. "Look Before You Leap." "You ask for the Australian system, but I would advise you to look before you leap," said Mr. McNamara. "I would be sorry to impose Australia's system on the P. and T. Department in New Zealand. Distant fields look green, but I would advise you to be careful."

The head of the Department went on to say that lie would endeavour to reduce the congestion in the seventh class. On account of the economic position outside the Department there were many lads of IS who had joined up because there were no positions for them in other businesses. They Avere now at a standstill. Provision had now been made to allow those lads and other juniors Avho so desired to transfer to clerical positions in other departments of State.

"The time has undoubtedly come for setting up some tribunal to go into the whole question of the restoration of salaries," declared Mr. J. H. McKenzie secretary of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Employees' Association, hi reply to the toast of the association.