P. AND T. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18194, 3 October 1924, Page 13

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION.

CHALLENGE DECLINED. (press association telzgbau.) WANGANUI, October 2. lief erring to the challenge of the Prime Minister to him to publish t-h© text of tho recent letter sent by him to the various branches of the Association, Mr Combs, general secretary of the P. and T. Association, speaking at the reunion of the "W&nganui branch to-night, said he did not see why tho domestic business of the Association should bo made public property. He had previously been accused by inferonce of preparing resolutions and. broadcasting them from Wellington. He had flatly denied tho charges, and it was for the Government to accept that denial or provo their charges. Instead, they shifted their ground and wanted the domestic business of the Association published in the Press. He (Mr Combs) was paid by the Association to study events and to offer opinions and suggestions thereon. He carried out this duty faithfully, but there his resoonsibility ceased. It was for the various brandies to endorse fiiese opinions or not as they saw fit, and to carry out these suggestions if they agreed that they were sound and practicable. In this the machinery of the P. and T. Association was no different from thai of similar organisations, and he did not propose to meet the Prime Minister every time he shifted his ground.