P. & T. EMPLOYEES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1929, Page 5

P. & T. EMPLOYEES

LARGELY ATTENDED MEETING. By Telegraph—Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Dec. 10. Addressing a largely attended meeting of the P. and T, employees last night, Mr J. H. McKenzie, General Secretary of the P. and T. Employees Association, said it was proposed to ask the Government to place the service under a system of arbitration, in order to remove it from the present political control. In his opinion the service would never get far under political and partisan control. ' i Questioned as to the Association s compulsory retirement alter forty years service, Air McKenzie was most emphatic on that point and said he had already protested to the Post-master-General and the Secretary of the Department in regard to a recent case of an officer over forty years service being retained. So far no satisfaction for the reasons for his retention had been presented. The case was causing much concern amongst .senior officers and retiicd officers were also wanting to know why they had been forced out of the service. The reversion to the policj of recent years was unanimously endorsed by the meeting. Air ATeKenzie said the Association’s efforts were directed to obtain improved salary conditions for lower ~„id officers. It was strenuously fighting for the minimum wage of aporoxin lately four pounds a week upon attaining the age of 21 years. Tho institution of a special class for certain qualified officers was undoubtedly a sop to alienate the support of tho Association’s demands for general reclassification.