P. AND T. POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 230, 29 September 1930, Page 17

P. AND T. POLITICS.

SMOKE CONCERT SPEECHES. GUESTS EXPRESS ANNOYANCE.

ME. MUNNS ON SALARY QUESTION. A note of .discord was struck at the annual reunion of the Auckland branch I of tlie Post and Telegraph Association on Saturday evening when Mr. J. H. Mcßenzie, secretary of the Dominion organisation, in replying to the toast of "The Association," spoke for close on three-quarters of an huor, most of his remarks being of a political nature. He [was followed by Mr. W. F. Kent-Jolin-I ston, vice-president of the Auckland j branch, who, in proposing the toast of I "Parliament," did much to prevent oil being poured on the troubled waters. So pointed had been the remarks of these two speakers that when Mr. G. C. Munns, M.P. for Roskill, rose to respond to the latter toast, he said: "What I can't understand is that you invite people here as your guests and then you discuss business. Prior to that incident, another guest who had listened attentively to Mr. McKenzie's speech for some time remarked that members of Parliament had not come to a social gathering to be affronted. Postmaster-General's Absence. The first indication guests received that it was not going to be "a happy gathering" was when the president of the Auckland branch of the P. and T. Association, Mr. R. Cliffe, made reference to the absence of the PostmasterGeneral, the Hon. J. B. Donald. Mr. Donald had first accepted an invitation to be present, but later wrote stating that as the P. and T. Estimates would not come before the House till this week he could not see his way clear to be present. He understood that the usual practice would be followed and matters of policy discussed. "A speech from the Minister touching on these matters would naturally be expected," wrote the Postmaster-General. "It seems to me, therefore, that as the Estimates come up early next week it would be only courteous that the account of my stewardship, in the first instance, be given to the House of Representatives. 11l view of this, I think it better that I should not attend your function on this occasion. In other circumstances I should have been delighted to have availed myself of your invitation, and I hope to be able to do so on a future occasion." Mr. Donaldson's Caution. In proposing the toast of "The Department" Mr. S. Donaldson, Mayor of Newmarket, reminded those present that on the last occasion on which he proposed the toast lie had mentioned salary cuts and had started a hornet's nest which did not settle down till after midnight; He was not going to be responsible for a similar happening, so he would confine himself to remarking that the public knew that the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department was one of the finest public services in the world and one which the Government knew they never lost money on. He was glad, however, that the Department was not governed by "that noble body of men, the Chamber of Commerce." Parties and Promises. Mr. McKenzie said the younger men of the service viewed all too lightly the inheritance established by the founders and older members of it. Then, going on to politics, he said that before a party got into power it made all sorts of promises, but when it reached the Treasury benches it soon forgot them and thought of the party only. The present Government was ever ready, to listen to the employers' side and he would be surprised if the employees received a request to go to Parliament and state their side. The Postmaster-General had said that Cabinet would take no action regarding the introduction of the principles of arbi° tration into the Post and Telegraph Association. Mr. McKenzie stated that a questionnaire had been addressed to every candidate regarding the matter and replies had been received in the affirmative. "You can rest assured that the majority of the Post and Telegraph servants will not rest till those principles are in vogue," said the secretary, "and I think most members of Parliament are of the same opinion. We have sufficient encouragement to go ahead because of the opinion of individual members of Parliament." Formation of New Guild. Referring to the attempt to form a P. and T. controlling officers' guild Mr. McKenzie said as long' as the political machine had party interests the P. and T. Association would not get much further regarding improvements in working conditions. Advocating that the P. and T. Association's requests should be considered on non-party lines, Mr. Kent-Johnston said they should bo treated like the Gambling Bill, the Daylight Saving Bill and such like measures. He went on to criticise Parliament and the treatment meted out to the association. Parliamentarians Speak Out. "I have all sorts of sympathy with the lower paid men," said Mr. Munns, in responding to the toast of Parliament, "but when you say this is a party question you are absolutely wrong. The party system does not enter into the salary question at all. It's all a matter of economics and the state of the country's finances. You must realise that the present position of this country is almost desperate. This is not the time to increase salaries. I would not curry favour by saying something I did not mean. No party in New Zealand can raise your salaries." Mr. Munns said that during the election campaign he had promised to do all he could to help the association realise its aims, but in the present state of affairs it was impossible; the unemployed had to have first consideration. That New Zealand had just cause to be proud of its Parliament was the opinion expressed by Mr. A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata. All parties did unite in their appreciation of the loyalty of the publio servants. He felt sure that just as soon as it was possible for the country to reconsider the question of restoration of salary cuts Parliament would do so. That time was not opportune now. There were difficulties to be faced and unemployment was the greatest. Parliament's first consideration was for those who had not the wherewithal to live to-day.