WHEN SICK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 7

WHEN SICK.

NO DISADVANTAGE. POST AND TELEGRAPH STAFF. ATTITUDE TO TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. ASSURANCE BY HON. G. W. FORBES (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. A circular issued by the District Telegraph Engineer in Auckland regarding casual employees, which has pro.voked strong criticism -was the subject of a statement to-day by the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister-elect, who has temporarily undertaken the duties of Postmaster-General.

Mr. Forbes announced that in response to representations made to him regarding the circular, issued by the District Telegraph Engineer in Auckland, he had, on his return to Wellington, investigated the position. In the first place, it was ascertained that the circular was not issued by the head office of the Department, or with its knowledge. Apparently some misunderstanding arose in the Auckland district over certain isolated cases, the papers in connection with which were misinterpreted, and wrongly regarded as conveying general instructions.

• "The conditions of employment have not altered," said Mr. Forbes, "except that difficulty has been experienced for some time past in providing work and material for men now employed, and in consequence authority to engage casual labour is concentrated in the head office, as it is felt that the present, staff, who have had considerable training, should be retained as long as possible. Additional men are not engaged if the existing staff can be utilised by transfer or otherwise until more material is available. Those who voluntarily leave the Department cannot expect to be re-engaged, but no restriction would-be placed on the re-engagement of a man whose absence was involuntary." v The Minister added that considerable misunderstanding had arisen, but brief inquiry had disclosed that no disadvantageous conditions were being imposed or considered regarding the men now employed on the casual staff.