P. & T. DEMANDS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1589, 15 June 1920, Page 5

P. & T. DEMANDS.

PREMIER AGREES TO INCREASES (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Nigrht. The Post and Telegraph Officers' Association conference continued today. A resolution was passed authorising- an alteration of the constitution of the Association, so that the Association can register under the provisions of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. A motion was carried asking- for full civil and political rights for the members of the Post and Telegraph service. The proposal to affiliate with the National Industrial Alliance of Labour was not entertained. The Wellington section of the Association met to-night to receive the report of the delegates concerning the deputation to Mr Massey and Mr Coates The chairman said that Mr Massey had practically promised what had been asked. He read the following telegram, which, he said, had been sent out to all branches of the Association that day, after the interview with the Prime Minister: —"The Prime Minister to-day definitely committed the Government, in the presence of a full conference, to pro rata increases in salaries or wages, in sympathy with the ascertained cost of living increase. The question of consequential adjustments will be referred to a Board to be set up, -when each branch of the Public Service will be dealt with on its own merits. Mr Massey further stated that if the services were not satisfied with the salary schedules when produced, the delegates may return and places the service's objections to same before him. This telegram has been read to a full conference before its dispatch." The following motion was passed: —" That this meeting is perfectly satisfied with the attitude of the conference, and congratulates them on position." The seconder of the motion said that he was afraid that Mr Massey would attempt to "side-step" them again, but the chairman replied that that would not be so, because Mr Massey had declared that he would give a reply to the Association's demands before Parliament met. -.