P. &T. ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 183, 29 April 1920, Page 5

P. &T. ASSOCIATION

DISSATISFIED WITH BONUS

STRIKE PROPOSAL FREELY DISCUSSED

BUT ACTION DEFERRED

A largely-attended meeting of members of the Post and Telegraph Association was held last, evening to consider the bonus which was recently granted by the Government. Tho chair was occupied by Sir. ili. Gumming. At tri3 outset the chairman denied a statement 'that the meeting was called to consider tho railway strike. The meeting was calted to .consider the bonus question. Extreme Action Proposed. The following motion was moved by Mr. It. Spedo and seconded by Sir. Elyard "In view of the increased cost of living (an admitted increase of 62 per cent.), this meeting is of the opinion that, failing recognition of tho association through the executive, a ballot should bo organised, and if necessary tho executive should bo called upon to take extreme action. '■

The chairman, in speaking to the mo-' tion, cited cases of officers of the Department who worked at niglit, and hnd to work at gardening during the day in order to support tlieir families. One officer had asked the speaker if he knew where his wife could get some sewing, lo do in order to keep tho home guing. There were dozens of similar cases. Many officers were leaving the Department every mouth. He was not thoroughly in accord with the motion, but he was out to see that the wages were increased to meet the present cost of living..

_M:r. J. Coulter considered that the motion was drastic, but that tho Government could understand nothing but drastic action.

"Not in Position to Strike." Mr. J. D. Burns was of opinion that the. association was not in a position to strike at present, as it was- r.ot organised. He claimed that an immediate conference should be called to consider what action should be taken.

The mover of the motion said that the proposal contained in it could be carried into effect within three weeks. The association could act independently, but ho saw no reason why they should not cooperate with the railwaymen in the present strike. .

Mr. A. F. Coira considered that the. association was not sufficiently organised to proceed with a. strike. A straight-out answer should be demanded of the Government. The present state of the organisation would not permit the married man to go out on strike. Ho nevertheless supported the motion.

Mr. H. E. Combes, secretary of the association, said that the meeting had to decide whether a „Cl 5 bonus was sufficient for the married men or : a £1 10s.bonus for tho single men. He claimed that the offer was too low. (Applause) Although it was staled that tho cost of living had gone up 62 per cent., he felt that it had gone up 100 per cent. The bonus offeied ■ amounted, io a 29 per cent, increase. AVhen it was announced, he felt like asking the whole service to. repudiate it, but the financial circumstances of many of the members .prevented immediate drastic nct'on. He had not. pledged himself to drastic action for the reason that the demand for drastic action should come from the membership, and not from tha executive. He wanted to see the membership tell the executive what was, required. (Hear, hear.) He warned present, to consider before taking definite action on drastic l'nes "whether they were sufficiently organised to see that action through.' The service was being ignored by the Government. During the past three weeks letters had been sent to the PostmnsterGeneral asking for an interview on the finest'on of wages and conditions; but they had not been even acknowledged. The Railwaymen." It was with, a degree of shame that lie had to say that the railway people were at present fighting.the association's battle. As far as the railway penplo were concerned, they believed they could carry the strike through without assistance. That might be' so, but. they might need assistance,"and when the call came it would be seen' whether the association was organised. (Applnnsp.) The executive had not had any real sigi from the membership as to what action should be taken. He advised members tn get in touch with their fel-low-workers and ascertain how strong their organisai.'on would be at a crucial moment. (Applause.) Mr G. Cooper, a member of the executive, said he was not in favour of a strike but was in favour of drastic action provided the association was organised. At present members were not organised and he trusted . that they would proceed to do so right away. Interview with Government Demanded. The following amendment was moved by Mr. Coira and seconded by Mr. J. D. Burns:—'That tins meeting, after hearimr Mr. Coombes's" statement, urges upon the executive to demand from the Government within seven days an interview regarding increase in salaries, war bonus, etc.; failing the granting of an interview, monster meetings of all branches be held on Sunday, May 9. to decide what action is to be, taken." A voice: Make it on a Monday, and hold a slop-work meeting! (Applause.) The amendment was carried. It was further resolved: "That the association demand that the executive immediately call a conference with a view to properly organising the association to meet emergencies."

The "Promised Bonus.". The secretary of tlio association stated that ho had received a communication from the Invercßigill branch, to the effect that the following reply had been received from tl:c Prime Minister in answer to a telegram sent by the member for Wallace: "It is proposed to publish 'the .recommendation of the Chief Justice with regard to the alleged promise of Sir Joseph Ward, and also a statement from ' the present permanent bead .of the Post and' Telegraph Department.'' Mr. Combes said fliat the executive council sent the purport of this message ,out to all brandies and commented as follows: "Executive interprets Ibis r o mean that the outstanding bonus is 10-t and that the Government action prior to the election only amounted to political jobbery. Executive would like your advice as to further action."

The following resolution was then carried

"That this moeting insists that the executive demand from the Government within three days a straight-out 'Yes' or *NV as to whether they are going lo grant ijie war bonus as promised by Sir Jpseph Ward. If the answer is in the negative this meeting,pledges itself to stand by any action the executive may think 'fit."" Help For Rnilwaymen, '''he following motion was carried unanimously: "That the executive instruct the secretary to communicate to the secretary of the E.If.C.A. our willingness to financially help their union to the best of our ability."

According to n Press Association message, the New Plymouth branch of the P. and T. Association last night passed ji resolution demanding that the executive be granted an interview with. the I'rime Minister . and the PostmasterGeneral, and suggesting flint in the event of refusal stop-work meetings bo held throughout New Zealand. The branch expressed by resolution its sympathy with tho railwaymen now on strike.