POSTAL OFFICERS.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4015, 15 June 1920, Page 2

POSTAL OFFICERS.

QUESTIONS OF PAY. DEPUTATION TO MR. MASSEY. A deputation from the Post and Lelegi-aph Officers' Association, meeting iv conference in Wellington, Avaited upon the Prime Minister (Right lion. W. F. Massey) and the ."Post-master-General (Hon, J. G Coates) yesterday. Mr M'Kenzie, president of the association, said the association thought it was entitled to something definite in the way of salary increase. From the reply to their letter they judged that a bonus ivas intended. Mr Massey :"Was it. a bonus you asked for before?"—" No." Mr Massey: "Are you quite sure?" —"Yes." * Mr M'Kenzie said there was also a feeling of resentment that their case should bo governed by the decision of the tribunals Avhich ivere inA-estigating the railway cases. Mr Massey: "Nothing of the kind ivas intended." Mr M'Kenzie said they felt they were entitled to a separate tribunal. Mr Combs, secretary of the association, said that the claims which Avere I put before the Prime Minister in May had since been endorsed by branches and general meetings. Constitutional action, so far as their service concerned, ivas on trial.- There was a feeling among members that constitutional action had failed.

Mr. Massey: "Noaa - , look here, Mr Combs, it is just as Avell to understand oach otlier. Do not attempt anything in the Avay of a threat, either implied or direct. I am here to listen to your vieivs, and I do not Avant threats." Mr Combs said he intended no threat, but tho statement as to the feeling in the service Avas not" exaggeration . Mr Massey: "I haA-c some idea of tlfe feeding in the service niyself." Mr Combs said they adhered to the demand for an adjustment according to the increase in the cost of living on the basic wage, of £165 in T914. That wage should be increased if the cost of living rose. Mr Massey: "And if it fell?" Mr Combs: "Wo avouIo). be Ayillmg l fco accept a proportional reduction." Mr Massey: "That to my mind is die difference between a bonus and a salary." Mr Combs considered it should be regarded as a salary. Ho suggested that the cost of increases could be met by taxation of the increase in unimproA r ed land values, or by a levy on the greatly increased returns obtained from , production during the war, or, thirdly, by the revision of l.heVPost and Telegraph charges. At present there Avas a great loss on many branches of the service. For example; Press telegrams must, be sent at an annual loss of about £60,000. : Mr Massey: "You think these.losses should be recouped?"—" Yes." Mr Combs proceeded to suggest that investigations should be made regarding the difference between the landed cost of clothing and the retail -price of such articles.

, The Prime Minister said, after listening to Mr Combs, he- came to the conclusion that. there Avas very little between them. If an increase ivere adjustable it Avas more in the Avay of a bonus than a,salary. hi the rail-, ivays, of coursed, the salaries ivere fixed by the Act,- and bonuses Avere apart from that.