OVERTURES TO ALLIANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18051, 28 March 1922, Page 6

OVERTURES TO ALLIANCE

POSTAL OFFICERS' BALLOT.

OBSERVATIONS BY MINISTER.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

[BX XELEOBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OHBISTCHTTROH. Monday. Important comment on the question of tho ballot to be taken by tho Post and Telegraph Officers' Association regarding affiliation with tho Alliance of Labour was made to-day by the Postmaster-Gen-eral. " I am rather loathe to make any reference to the matter, as it is a question which the officers or a certain section of officers have taken up themselves," said Mr. Coatcs. "But I think it might be advantageous for me to give my views.

" There is no doubt in my mind that the desire ior such a ballot is not by any means unanimous, Inaeea, 1 feel certain if every omcer who is entiuod to vote exorcises his or her right, the result will be entirely opposed to any affiliation with mo Alliance ol Labour. It is therefore incumbent on every officer to see that his vote goes in. " Yvhat would be the position if the ballot was in favour of the one big union ? it would mean that the activities of a large public service such as the Post and Telegraph Department might be to somo extent interfered with by tho officials of a Labour organisation. In the event of trouble arising from the movement that is taking place, I feel quite confident there are a sufficient number of thoroughly loyal officers to enable use to carry on the service. The proposal of the Post and Telegraph Association to join up with the one big union movement is, one to which the people o:f the country will never agree, and I believe it to be a very serious mistake from lie Post and Telegraph point of view. " That is not tihe serious aspect of the question. We all know that officers are pledged to seorecy. and I am pleased to say that up to the present the service can be relied upon to maintain that oath. But what if the officers' association was part and parcel of one big union! Uuld the Government and tbe administration rely upon each officer in the event of any extreme action on the part of the Alliance of Labour! The question is sufficient in itself to suggest that for the good of country as a whole, joining up with tho one big union is entirely wrong. If the good work of the association's executive is now to be shattered by the present proposals urging affiliation with a body whose conditions and ideals are in no wav similar to those of the Post and Telegraph officers, the position will naturally have to be reconsidered by all concerned. "I should perhaps remark here for public information," concluded the Minister, " that included in the list of officers entitled to vote, there are approximately 800 message boys and message girls, varying in ape from 14 to 16 years, and many junior officers, varying from 16 to 21 years, who, I might be permitted to say, are not In a position to judge for themselves the correct, way to record toeir votes and therefore should not be permitted to take part in the ballot. I should JMt like to say it is most unfortunate that the question of takmx a yote has been decided upon, and as I believe voting takes place within the next few dm, I trust every officer entitled to vote will do so."