P. AND T. SPLIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 9

P. AND T. SPLIT.

BREAKAWAY PROPOSALS.

SECRET MEETINGS HELD.

HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT,

With a dramatic suddenness that has surprised 90, per. cent of the service, there Iras been launched a proposal to create another Post and Telegraph employees' organisation, with a membership to be drawn exclusively from the ranks--of executive officers. The scheme was launched in Wellington, and its object is said to be the breaking up of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Association, of which body nearly all servants are .members. These include controlling officers and the rank and file.

The Dominion executive of the P. and T. Association is against the movement, and a meeting will be held in Wellington on August 5 to consider the matter.

In Auckland, it is said, the movement is not making any progress, and the Auckland branch of the association executive has decided to stand loyally to the Dominion organisation. Although it is known that many Auckland members have been approached to join the new body, no resignations have so far been handed in to the local executive.

Increased Salaries to High Officers,

One of the objects of the proposed new body, it is learned, is to seek increases of salary to the higher-paid officers, other.than the rank and file who will not be eligible for membership. One of the P. and T. Association's objects in tho past has been to improve the -lot of, the lower-paid members of the staff—those whoso salaries vary from £240 to £200 a year. The new guild has particularly in view those, men in receipt of salaries ranging from £320 up to as high as £700, and the provisional committee consists of Mr. J. M. McLean, Chief Postmaster at Wellington, who is chairman; Messrs. E. W. Rudman, R. B. Reynolds and F. H. Guinness, representing the postal branches; Messrs. E. H. Lawn, E. H. R. Green, representing the telegraph engineers; Mr. F. Milton, stores branch; Mr. H. A. Lamb, accountants' branch; Mr. S. A. Ogilvie, head office; and Messrs. H. Miller and R. L. Townsend, representing tho telegraph branch.

Behind Closed Doors. The first meeting took place in Wellington on July 11, when senior officers met to consider proposals in their own sectional interests.

It has been stated that prominent speakers stressed the desire not to break away, .but "to maintain relations of good-fellowship and co-operation." Beyond an intention to improve controlling officers' salaries, and perhaps found a death benefit scheme, officers allege that they were not enlightened on the objects aimed at.

When asked whether what wag stated was not already provided for in the existing association,.' senior officers stated that "controlling officers felt that they had been neglected; that the one big organisation was unwieldy; that too much in the past had been devoted to rank and file claims; -that the main question of salaries had been tackled at the wrong end; and that if the weight could be lifted at the top better results would accrue." In short, they felt that controlling officers' interests could bo best served by sectional organisation.

On Monday, July 13, another meeting was held, to which the secretary of the New Zealand P. and T. Association sought admission. His request was declined by the Chief Postmaster 'at Wellington, Mr. J. M. McLean.

Bond is Still Strong. The local branch of the P. and T. Association stated that with the exception of three all the members of the provisional committee in Wellington are members of ,the present body.

"Right through the 40 years of the P. and T. Association's existence," said a member of the executive of the P. and T. Association, "the slogan has been 'United- wo. stand, divided we fall.' This has bound our. association of all ranks together to promote the common welfare. And we firmly believe that this bond will withstand the present veiled attack."