OVERLOOKED!

Evening Star, Issue 19698, 27 October 1927, Page 11

OVERLOOKED!

A QUESTION OF CONSULTATION ‘BREACH OF FAITH ALLEGED [From Ode Pablumentabi Repobibb.] WELLINGTON, October 26. “ Surely this is a breach of the agreement made with tho Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association,” said tho Leader of tho Opposition (Mr Holland) to-night, in referring to clause 20 of tho Post and Telegraph Amendment—that all officers to receive a salary of £765 shall bo appointed by tho Governor-General. Mr Holland, producing a copy of ‘ Katipo,’ November, 1921, quoted a letter from Dir Coates (then Postmas-ter-General), in which an undertaking was given that when any change was proposed on questions of collective interest to the service, the proposals would be placed before tho association. As the clause read at present the Minister could go right outside the Post and Telegraph Department and appoint whomsoever ho chose. This legislation opened tho way lor political appointments. It was the thin edge of the wedge for political control. Mr Nos worthy; 1 had no idea of going outside tho department. Mr Holland: Well, only live officers are appointed by the Governor-General under the present system. Mr Coates: This makes it seven. Any junior can bo appointed now. Mr Holland said tlio PostmasterGeneral had admitted in moving tho second reading of the Bill that the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association had not been consulted. Dir Nosworthy: They have not approached me. Dir Holland; Why should they? Dir Coates: Have they approached the hon. gentleman. That’s the point. (Laughter.) Dir Holland: But* why has that promise not been honored? Dir Nosworthy interjected that lie did not know of the existence of the letter. The Prime Minister, replying, said: “ So far as tho staff is concerned, we are quite willing to consult them, but the department has overlooked the letter. On the other hand, Ido think that the secretary or the president of the association could have seen the Minister, and it was quite unnecessary that the association should approach the Opposition. A Labor member: The Bill was only brought down last night. How could they°know what was in it? Mr Howard (Christchurch South) deplored the light way in which the Government could tear up a scrap ox paper, throw it to the winds of heaven, and say “That’s that; we have overlooked‘it.” (Laughter.)