P. & T. ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1933, Page 11

P. & T. ASSN.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, November 6. • The biennial conference of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, representative of a membership, of 7000 in the Dominion, opened to-day under the presidency of Mr Kent Johnston, of Hamilton. The conference was visited by Mr Hamilton, PostmaM-er-General, and Mr McNamara, Secretary of the Post Office. . The Minister referred to the strained relations that had for some time existed between the Government and the Association, but, although the Association comprised officers of the Department, lie was pleased to be able to say that the disagreement had not in any way affected the splendid standard of efficient and loyal service which the Department as a whole rendered the Government and the community. The P. and T. Department was a State Department that not only paid its own way, but had come to the assistance of the Government with a sum of just on one 'million pounds ? n 1931-32, and again with £500,000 last vear, so that when the countiy was out of its economic difficulties, that fact should be remembered in considering improvements for the employees. However, said the Minister, the Government was still facing great difficulties, and he could hold out no hope for anything in the nature of restored “cuts” to civil servants until the national finance was in a much better position than it was at the present time.