P. AND T. OFFICERS’ ASSN.

Northern Advocate, 11 December 1929, Page 7

P. AND T. OFFICERS’ ASSN.

'SECRETARY' ADDRESSES MEETING ACTIVITIES OUTLINED. {Per Presr Association. —Oopyrignt.J AUCKLAND, This Day. Addressing a largely-attended meeting of Post and Telegraph employees last night, Mr J.H. McKenzie, general secretary of the Post and Telegraph 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. Questioned as to compulsory retirement after 40 years’ service, Mr McKenzie was most emphatic on that point, and said he had already protested to the Postmaster-General and the Secretary of the Department in regard to the recent case of an officer with over 40 years’ service being retained. So far, no satisfactory reasons for his retention had been presented. The case was causing ranch concern senior officers. Retired officers were also wanting to know why they had ■ been forced out of the service. Rever--1 sion to the policy of recent years was unanimously endorsed by the meeting. Mr McKenzie said the Association’s efforts were directed to obtain improved salary conditions for the lower-paid officers. It was strenuously fighting for a minimum wage of approximately £4 per week upon attaining the age of 21 years. The institution of a special class for certain qualified officers was undoubtedly a sop to alienate the support of the Association’s demands for general reclassification.