Feilding P. and T. Employees

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6836, 18 April 1932, Page 3

Feilding P. and T. Employees

ANNUAL REUNION The members of the Feilding sub-sec-tion of the Afanawatu branch of the P. an.d T. Officers’ Association held their annual reunion at the Drill Hall supper room on Saturday night, Mr. A. G. March (president of the section) presiding over a largo attendance, which included visitors from Palmerston North and M'arton.

In opening the proceedings Mr. Murc-h extended a. warm welcome to the Mayor (Mr. 0. E. Taylor), and to Messrs. Huntingdon (chairman of the Palmerston North section), Ryder (Manawafu branch delegate) and Smeaton (assistant-secretary of the association). Ho was also pleased to sec present Mr. 0. Jxilvington (Into postmaster at. Feilding) and Mr. Finlay (stationmaster), as well as Air. C. Clark (postmaster at Feilding). The toast of Parliament was proposed by the ‘Mayor, who voiced the opinion that in these difficult times everything of a. constructive character was what was most, earnestly required. Ho was sure those present would wish Parliament well, and if sacrifices had to. be made they would be spread as equitably as possible over the Dominion as n whole. The gathering would wish Parliament. well iu the preservation of law and order (Hear! hear!) and that the counsels of those in both Houses would bo in the best interests of the country. (Applause.) In proposing (ho toast of the Post and Telegraph Department Mr. Finlay paid a tribute to the service, which over a long period of years had been noted for its" efficiency.

Replying, Mr. Clark said that .members felt, proud of belonging to a department which slood so high in the estimation of the general public. Since the introduction of the system of promotion by merit the standard of efficiency had risen considerably, and as a. commercial institution the department could offer an efficient service fo the public. The wide ramifications of the department brought, members into close touch with the public, and it spoke well for the officers that they were held in such high esteem. All should do everything possible to retain the confidence of the public. In these troublous times the department was extremely fortunate in having a gentleman of the calibre of Air. McNamara as its permanent head. There was no doubt lie had made every endeavour to do his best for the officers and, had it not been for him, members might have been in the sameboat ns the sister service, the Railway De-partment—-facing wholesale retrenchments. Continuing, Air. Clark said that there never had been a greater need for loyalty, and it behoved all officers to stand solidly. behind the heads of the department.and maintain the estimation of the general public. All eyes were turned on members of the service, and the general public were like the critics of a football match—watching for offside play. Although things looked black at the moment, conditions would improve, “so' wo must stick to our guns and pretend that we have had a 10 per cent, increase instead of a cut. Wo must not, do anything that will embarrass Air. McNamara, who is endeavouring to get along without sacrificing staff. We must not do anything that will alienate the goodwill of the public; public opinion is a vital factor in everything,'’ concluded Air. Clark, amid applause.

.Mr. G. Kilvington proposed the toast, of tho association and said that although he had severed his connection with the service ho still maintained a close interest in the officers and was very pleased to receive the invitation lo attend the reunion. Dealing with the association, the speaker said that in consequence, of its activities members were in a better position to-day than ever they had been in. The scale of salaries was higher, while tho working conditions had been very much improved. Members of tho department had every reason to bo proud of the association and, while the organisation had not always been in the right, its activities had been to tho advantage of its members. Concluding, the speaker paid a tribute to the executive officers of the association, who had the welfare of the members at heart. (Applause.) Replying, Mr. Ryder dealt with the work of the association in connection with tho salary cuts. Members had had one 10 per cent, cut and were now asked to accept another. 'The. attitude of the association was that I tie further cut. of 10 per cent, was too great, an infliction on members of the service tor them to take it. lying down. The association

was using every constitutional method lo resist that extra cut, and would fight it, by every fair means. (Gear! hear!) It had been stated that Mr. ,7. A. Nash, ALT’., was definitely going to vote against the 70 per cent. cut. (Applause.) 7n Palmerston North the association had achieved its objective. The member for that city was with I lie association in the conviction, that the proposed further reduction in salaries and wages was not in tho best; interests o! the Dominion. (Applause.) The toa.st. of “Local Bodies” was proposed by Mr. Clark, who referred to tho splendid relations existing between the Foil ding Borough Council and the department, with which it had been brought into close contact owing to the unemployment question. The Mayor and Mr. T. K. Hay (borough engineer) responded, tho former recalling his early association with the P. and T. Department in Wanganui. Mr. Smeaton, who proposed the toast of the Manawatu section of the association, dealt with the association's policy and claimed that it was justified in the view that the National Expenditure Commission’s proposals, as interpreted by the Government, were bringing about a state of starvation and degradation among the members of the service. He spoke at length in his criticism of the salary and wage cuts, and quoted figures to support, his contention that the members of the service were being reduced to a. starvation wage. Other toasts honoured were “The Entertainers” and ’’The Press.” During tho evening a number of musical items were rendered, anil the proceedings were brought to a close shortly after 11 o’clock.