POSTAL OFFICERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18435, 15 June 1920, Page 7

POSTAL OFFICERS.

THE .SALARIES GRIEVANCE MR MASsifpROMISES INCREASES. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 14. Delegates from the conference of the Post and Telegraph Officers Association had an interviow with the irmie Minister to-day regarding their demands for increases of pay for members of tho postal service, Hie I ost-ma.ster-General (Hon J. G. Crates) also was present. Mr M'Kenzio, president ot the assocition, said that the deputation was representative of all branches of the association. Tho delegates had come forward with tho opinion thut it was due to them that something definite should he stated as to what the salary conditions were to be in the service in future. .In their previous interview they had gathered that the Prime Minister had in mind payment, of something in the nature of a bonus. Ihoir request was that payment should be by way of salary increase. Mr Combs, secretary of' the association, said that tho demand was that the basio wage of £165, fixed at the beginning of tbo war, should be increased in proportion to the proved increase in the cost of living, and for tho purpose of determining the period of increase in the cost or living they would take the official figure of 6per cent. Ho suggested that tho cost of increases could be mot by taxation of the increase in unimproved land values, or by a levy on tho greatly increased rotuxns obtained from production during the war, or thirdly, by n rovision of post and telegraph charges. At present there was great loss on many branches of the service. For example, Press telegrams must ha sent at an annual loss of about £60,000.

Mr Massey, replying, said that after listening to Mr Combs he had comp to the conclusion that there was very little between n the association and the Government. Ho had always considered that an increase that was to be adjustable must be by way of bonus. " Here is what tho Government propose to do," said Mr Massey. " "We are not going to favour ono Department at tho expenso of any other Department. Wo are going to treat them all justly and reasonably. Wo have had this railway business on hand for some time. It has taken longer to settle than I had expectod, not that I wish to find fault with those making inquiries'. 1 hope and beliovo that what tho different classos of the Railway Department aro doing will have a very good effect. I think that when they send in their reports wo shall find matters run more smoothly in the sorvico than for some time past. I had thought that tho locomotive men would bo finished on Saturday. The committee has not finished yet, and will not be finished until to-morrow. I need not say they will draw up their report without influence from me. When we get it —and I shoiifd like to have tho matter settled before the House meets—wo propose to deal with their .report in this way. It is not only the railway people wo have to provide for; we havo to provide for the post and telegraph service, tho public service, the police and the school teachers, and the Government proposes to ask certain officers of the public service, men of experience and ability, men such as the Public Service Commissioner, tho head of the Postal Department, the head of the Railway Department, and the head of tho Treasury to assist members of the Government in drawing up what, I believe, will be a satisfactory Bcale of payments. Wo havo no intention of keeping the Postal Department out in any way or of dealing with them unfairly as compared with other branches of tho Public Service. Every Department will bo considered by itself. What we do with the Railway Department cannot be applied to tho Postal Department, because the conditions and duties aro not the same. Our aim is to havo tho salaries of tho Public Service settled, and settled for some timo to come. That this will mean an increased burden to the taxpayer there is no doubt. I hope to bo "able to get tho money. So far as the Railway Department is concerned, I am going to get the money by putting up fares and freights, and so far as tho Postal Service is concerned I am going to put up the rates. It is only fair that the people using theso services should pay. I had not thought of getting something out of the newspapers. That will have to bo considered later on. Wo shall need all the sources of revenue that we can tap." Tho Government was anxious to do justice to the men of the postal service. " There seems," he said, "to have been a certain amount of feeling worked up about this business, which is quite unnecessary. As soon as we get these railway matters fixed up, wo will settle down to adjust these grievances of yours." Mr Massey said that lie thought the cost of living would fall shortly, and that tho corner had been turned." "You will not havo to wait many days," ho said in conclusion. " I aqiee with the principle laid down by tho deputation that salaries and wagP3 should be consistent with the cost or" living, especially up to a reasonable amount. I think you will.find that a fairly, satisfactory adjustment will bo made. Tam not able to go into figures at tho present moment, because, as I havo said, we intend to go about it in a business-liko way and to consult men who havo had experience in the management of big Departments of State. If you are not satisfied with tho result, you can como to us, to the head of the Postal Department, and I think you will find us reasonable. The Government is not antagonistic to persons in the State employ. We want a satisfactory service, and we know that we cannot keep n. satisfactory service if "members of the service are not satisfied. Tho Government asks for the assistance of members of the service in its difficulties at the present time." Mr M'Combs asked whether the increases would date from April 1. Mr Massey: Yea, that is what I propose.

Mr M'Combs asked whether Mr Massey accented the basis presented by the association for an increase in the basic wage. Mr Massey: lam not accenting your figures. I accent now, as I have" accepted all through, that as tho cost of living goes nn _ there should be increases in salaries and wages, proportionate increases.

Mr M'Combs said that, in view of this assurance, he was sure tho service would be prepared to wait patiently for the results of the adjustment.

WELLINGTON, June 14

The Wellington section of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association met to-night to receive the report of tho delegates concerning the deputation to Mr Massey and Mr Coatcs. The- chairman said that Mr Massey had praotically promised what had been asked. He read the following telegram which, ho raid, had been sent out to all branches of the association thai dny, after the interview with tho Prime Minister:—"The Prime Minister today definitely committed the Government, in tho presence of the full conference, to fero rata increases in salaries or wages n sympathy with the ascertained cost of living increase. The question of consequential adjustments will be referred to a board to bo set up, when each branch of the Publio Service wil] bo dealt with on its own merits. Mr Massey further stated that if the service was not satisfied with the salary schedules when produced, delegates may return fand place the service's objections to the same before him. This telegram was read to thu full conference before dispatch." Tho following motion was passed: "That this meeting is perfectly satisfied with the attitude of the conference a©d congratulates thara on tha present

said he was afraid that Mr Massey would attempt to " side-stop" theirt again, but the chairman replied that that would not bo so, because Mr Massoy had declared that he would give a icply to tho association's demands before Parliament mot."

CHRISTCHURCH A SSOCTATION. At a meeting ,of the Christchuroh branch of tho Post and Telegraph Association last evening tho following telociation last evening tho telegram was. road from the permanent secretary conveying the text of tho Priino Minister's message The local branch members expressed satisfaction at the nature of tho message, and the following resolution was carried : —" That a hearty vote of thanks be conveyed to tho conference for, ..their work on our behalf."

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE, WELLINGTON, Juno 14.

The Post and Telegraph Officers' Association conference was continued today. - A resolution was passed authorising the alteration of tho constitution so that tho association can register under the provisions of tho Labour Disputes Investigation Act. A motion was carried asking for full civil and political rights for members of tho Post and Telegraph Service. A proposal to affiliate with the National Industrial Allianco of Labour was not entertained.