PARR'S PROMISES

Grey River Argus, 4 August 1925, Page 5

PARR'S PROMISES

TO P. AND T. MEN

What Will They Assay? WANTS STRAIGHT TALK. (Special to the Argus.) WELLINGTON, August 3. The Postmaster-Genera), Sir James Parr, attended the confeteiice of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association this morning, and while the Minister was present, the proceedings were thrown open to the Press. Mr E. E. Collins, the President of the Association, tendered the Minister a heartv welcome. He added that he hoped the delegates Would have an opportunity of meeting the Minister later, and of discussing the salary question, and they were optimistic enough to'hope that, as the Department had a good surplus, they would have a favourable interview. Sir James Parr returned his sincere thanks for the very cordial reception the conference ' had given him. He expected to have from tiie Association candour and openness and plain dealing. and he assured them that they could expect those tilings from him. There would be no humbug from him. When they’ asked something of him, they would, get an answer that would allow them to know where they were in the matter. He would respect them none the less for bringing their representations forcibly Upon him. He met them in an attitude of friendliness. He was not one of the people who asked ‘‘what is ths use of these organisations I ?’’ lie was of the opinion there should be a strong organisation to represent the views of . the service, and that, when the Minister came to deal with those views, there should be a representative body- of men for him to deal with. After all. they’ were all working for the same boss—the publie. In another Department which h e had controlled, he had found suggestions from the rank and file to be of great value. The PostmasterGeneralship was ne’w to him, and when the session was over, he would leave no stone unturned to understand as clearly* ns anyone could what the business of the Department really’ was. He ■noticed that they emphasised the point of promotion by merit, and he agreed that was right. Where merit was equal, the senior officer should have the job. He ndvt-ed Ml hands to Jo ail they could to improve their education. n> the da,-’ had gone by whvi a Sixth Standard education would suffice for the man who'desired to reach the lop. Moreover, education assisted people to fenjry life. BUREAUCRATIC DOUSE. NO RISE YET. WELLINGTON, August 3. Speaking at the P. and T. Association Conference, after Sir James Parr, Mr A. T. Markman, secretary‘of the Department, who accompanied the Minister, said he was very pleased to see at the conference faces different in many eases from those who were there three years ago. The present conference seemed to be more staid and sound If they had had any’ idea that the Department had had a surplus cf about £BOO,OOO, they had better get the idea out of their heads. Mr Collins said he had referred to a period of two years. Mr Markman said the fact wns that the .net result of the financial side for the year just closed was that th >y would be approximately £200,000 Down.. Last year it wits £172,000. That indicated that they were picking up. They had had penny postage introduced, but the indications were that there was increased postage. If all did their bit, the position would improve till there was a net profit, and when that time came, it would be his duty’ to see that the conditions of the staff were improved. He thought their conditions were very good, and ho said that, after all, the' salaries had to be regarded in the whole, and not in respect of any particular service. He hoped that there would be a ray of light soon, and that he would If able to make a recommendation. The President had mentioned a slight antagonism between the executive of the Association and the Department, and it should be admitted that there had been a tendency in that direc/.in. Doesn’t Like Publicity. He relished fair criticism, but he di 1 not like some of the matter appearing in the Official Organ of the Associatic’ii. He was looking forward to the time when it would not be run on the same lines. He would like them to regard the Head Office as their official father and instead of putting their alleged grievances in the Official Organ go to the Secretary with them. If they adopted that method it would be better.