P. AND T. BALLOT

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 April 1922, Page 5

P. AND T. BALLOT

REPLY TO PREMIER. i . OATHS TO BE HONOURED. (Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Premier’s comment on the result of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association’s ballot, which approved of affiliation with the Alliance of Labour, suggests that there will be serious developments in the near future. The Government hits not disclosed its policy, but it is evident that it regards the action of the postal employees as more detrimental to the public interest than the decision of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants some years ago to participate in the formation of the Alliance of Labour. Probably, the Government will refuse to recognise the Postal Association under its new constitution. This would probably precipitate industrial trouble cutside postal circles, as the Alliance has a membership of over 40,000 unionists.

The officers of this organisation were not prepared off-hand to reply to the Premier’s announcement, but they will probably come into the controversy at an early date in view of the decision of the postal officers by a large majority to join the Alliance. “The linking up of our Association with the Alliance of Labour should have no influence with the public, in regard to the secrecy of the Post Office,” declared Mr. L. 11. Brown, assistant secretary of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, to your representative, who called iris attention to the Prime Minister’s commentyon the ballot. “When members of the Department join the service,” continued Mr. Brown, “they take an oath of secrecy, and they will keep it light through their career, however great the provocation or the temptation. In any industrial trouble such as referred to by Mr. Massey, they would keep to their oath, for they realise that not only is the honour of the service at stake, but any breach of confidence is a criminal offence. The possibility of this argument being brought against us has not been overlooked during the lengthy discussions of the proposal among our members, and they do not expect or anticipate that the Alliance of Labour officials will ever ask them to break their oath of secrecy.”

Mr. Brown was asked if he understood what the Premier was hinting at in his reference to the members of the Association having to choose between the Alliance and their loyally to the Government.

“I don’t know what is in contemplation,’ replied Air. Brown, “as it is only in the innuendo stage, but 1 can assure the Premier and the public that the question of joining the'Alliance of Labour has been clearly and lucidly placed before the postal officers. The constitution of the Alliance was printed on the back of every ballot paper,, and the Association's monthly magazine has been freely open to dismission on both sides of the subject. This opportunity has been fully used by supporters and opponents. There was a discussion of the proposal by the Executive in November, 1921, when Air. Alack, President of the Alliance, Mr. Roberts (secretary) and Air. WSullivan (President of the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen) addressed the- Executive on the principles of the Alliance. These addresses, together with a- verbatim report of the Executive’s subsequent discussion, were printed for circulation among the Association members, so that they have had every opportunity of understanding the nature of the step taken.”

A TIAIARU DEMAND. (Per Press Association.) TIAIARU, April 5. A meeting of the executive of the South Cknttevbury Employers’ Association passed a resolution that the Association emphatically protests against the P. and T. Officers’ Association joining the Alliance of Labour, and calls upon the Cabinet to prohibit them from doing so. RESIGNATIONS REPORTED. /D UN EDI N, Ap ri 1 6. Dissatisfaction prevails amongst many local members of the P. and T. Association, over the result of the ballot. It is stated that several resignations are certain.