P. AND T. OFFICERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue XXXXXI, 14 June 1920, Page 5

P. AND T. OFFICERS

MR MASSEY'S REPLY

CONFERENCE INDIGNANT.

(BY TELEGBAPH —PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, June 12. '{~ The P. and T. men wrote to Mr i Massey on Thursday, stating that his ! reply, was not clearly understood, and j asking if the results arrived at by the j railway tribunals are to be applied, to ! or become binding oh the P. and T. service. If so, the delegates had the strongest possible objection to such a proposal, on the ground that the j clauses had not been heard by these , tribunals and that the P. and T. views' and conditions are unknown t» them. On the salary question the issue was whether the basic wage of 1914 (£165) j should or should not be improved to the extent of the known increase in the cost of living, and the hope was expressed that the Premier would give a reply to this yesterday. Mr Massey replied that as soon as the Government receives the recommendations from the railway tribunals I the whole question of what bonus should be given to the P. and T. men would be considered by Cabinet. He understood that the tribunal dealing with the locomotive men would finish this week, and the last tribunal would < not take long. I The conference considered this letter, and expressed strong indignation that its grievances should be settled on the railway basis and not on their own merits. It was astounded that the important salary question, which had been directly before the Government since May 4 last, should be converted into a bonus question. An urgent message, embodying the reelings of the conference, was despatched to Mr Massey, and the con- j i ference adjourned, pending the re-! ceipt of his reply to the request for an interview. The delegates are com- ! municating meanwhile with their branches. ,