POSTAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1920, Page 3

POSTAL TROUBLE

(Per Press Association.)

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, April JO.

Tho Post and -Telegraph Association meets this afternoon to discuss the situation aud it is hoped the local members of Parliament will attend so that they may he fully seized of the serious stage at which matters have arrived.

No official, statement has been made, but it is understood that the Executive fears that unless the Government take action immediately, it will be unable to hold members.

P. AND T. MATTERS. WELLINGTON, This Day

liOcal M.P’s have intervened iu’P. and T.’matters. Messrs Newman, Mitchell and Field attended a meeting yesterday and afterwards arranged for an interview with Mr Massey and Mr Coatps, whep the latter returns next week.

POSTAL TROUBLE.

BLENHEIM, April 30

A largely attended meeting of the Marlborough section of the P and T Officers’ Association last night resoiuhioiied:—“That this section expresses tonlidivce and appreciation in the Executive pffprts to secure thp overdue war bonus, and 1 a substantial increase of salaries, and also gives whole-hearted support + o the executive in any action it secs fit to take.”

WESTPORT, April 30

At a. meeting of thp Westport section pf tlie Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, the folowing resolution was carried unanimously: “That the i’,cecutive appeal for a. substantial increase salaries and failing to obtain same that » ballot be taken with a view to drastic aft-Lpti,”

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. HAMILTON, April 30. Mr W. A.' G. Brown, vice-president of the North Islands Post and Telegraph Officer’s Association, interviewed regarding the moaning of fhe resolutions passed in various parts of the country, said the position was one requiring a frank expression of opinion lii 1914 flip whole service considered themselves inadequately paid. Bince then the officers' had hot endeavoured to embarrass the Department, They had accepted t>he war bonus as part of a measure of meeting tlie increased cost of living which has outgrown war bonus allotted, and the Qovernmput decided in 1918 on (V reclassification of the service as being essential. The revised classification list of last year proved totally inadequate, more especially for the rank and filo officers who coni deed they were entitled to maintain their pre-war standard of living- Hie seivice holds it is entitled at. ’east to a salary based on pr.p-war rates, with the annual increments to which officers are entitled before they reach the maximum of their respective classes, plus the 20 per cent which the Government itself assess na the increase in the cost of

living. Mr Brown stressed that the maximum salary of the officers of the Department is not commensurate with the work performed. Resignations were common throughout t-lio service. Officers non; receiving only 13s a day which compared very unfavourably with the lates ruling outside. Continuing, Mr Brown said that so far as the present crisis goes, the Prime Minister stated that whatever was granted the railwayman would be given to the rest of the public service. This includes the post and telegraph members who ave thus directly concerned in the success or failure of tlie cause of tlie

railwnynien. “Since February sth last, ’ lie said, “our executive has been endeavouring to secure nil interview with the Post-master-General, and th(> Prime Minister t 0 discuss our grievances. The latter lias not so far replied to tlie last communication on the subject made by tlie Permanent Secretary of tlie Association. Writing on February otli, the Premier promised to fix a time to meet the As* sociation.” Asked how his executive will view the matter if the Premier does not consent, Mr Brown said they viewed the position us one of the greatest seriousness. Unfortunately the public, and not the Government would suffer. But bo thought the public wore sympathetic. By listening to the wise, counselling oil the part of the oublic, the Government can avoid the most serious crisis the P. and TAssciation lias ever had to face. He believed that public opinion was strong enugli to prevail upon the statesmen of the country.