P. AND T. OFFICERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 September 1924, Page 7

P. AND T. OFFICERS

REPLY TO THE MINISTER. ON SALARIES QUESTION. ':BV TELEGRAPH PR KBS ASSOCIATION i WELLINGTON, Sept, 29. , Air Combs, secretary to. tho*P. and T. Officers’ Association, replying to Air Coates, says:“The Postmaster-General's statement is so lull of generalities that it is hard to know, where to begin in replying to him, but one may fairly take his reference to the extravagant salary demands put forward by the Association and generally endorsed by 7000 meml)ers.’’ The Association asked for the restoration of the 1914 standard of living. As it did not live in extravagant fashion in 1914 —far. from it —it was for Air Coates to prove that such ai demand was extravagant. As a riiatter of fact, although the cost of living in all groups was over 60 per cent, higher than in 1914, the Association only asked that the maximum for a telegraphist, etc., should be raised by 39 per cent., and postmen, etc., by 33 per cent. It only asked that telegraph messengers be paid £65 for the first year and £7O for-the second, whereas in Australia they were paid £77. That the Department was in a position to agree to these moderate terms was shown by its annual report and budget, in which the value of concessions in postage and telegraph rates were estimated to be over £600,000. Air Combs said he wanted to make it clear that be never had a personal discussion with Air Coates on the salary question. Every time he met Air Coates yt-was as one of a deputation from the Association, and what was said during the course ef the interview was said on behalf of the. organisation, and under its instructions. He was in agreement with the representations made, and still thinks they were very reasonable, especially as the Government had a handsome surplus in band, and therefore was in a position to pay more.