POSTAL OFFICERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18434, 14 June 1920, Page 6

POSTAL OFFICERS.

SALARY QUESTION.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PREMIER. [Pbb Peess Association.] WELLINGTON June 12

The Post and Telegraph Officers' As. sociation wrote to Mr Massey on Thursday stating that his reply was nob clearly understood, and asking if the results arrived at by railway tribunals are to be applied to or become binding on the Post and Telegraph serviice; if so, the delegates entered the strongest possible objection to such a proposal, on the ground that the clauses had not been heard by these tribunals, and the views and conditions of tho Post and Telegraph service are un« known to them. On the salary question, the issue was whether the basio wage of 1914 of £165 should or should not be improved to the extent of the known increase in the oost of .living. Hope was expressed that the Prime Minister would give a reply to this. Yesterday Mr Massey replied that as goon as the Government received recommendations from the railway tribunals the whole question of. what bonus should be given to Post and Telegraph men would be considered by the Cabinet. He understood that the tribunal dealing with the locomotive men would finish this week and the las* tribunal would not take long. The conference considered this lettei and expressed strong indignation that its grievances should be settled on a 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 ths feelings 0} tho conference, was dispatch cd to Mr Massey and the conference adjourned pending reonpt of his replj to a request for an interview. Th« delegates are communicating meanwhile with their branches.