POSTAL OFFICERS' PAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18693, 26 April 1924, Page 12

POSTAL OFFICERS' PAY.

NEW CLASSIFICATION LIST,

AUCKLAND SECTION'S VIEWS

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED. A meeting of the Auckland section of the Post and Telegraph pfficers' Association wis h-ejld on Wednesday evening tor the discussion of the reclassification schedules. Mr. R. H. Brown presided, and about 350 members were present.

A resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the new classification list and urging the executive in Wellington to take steps to secure better treatment for the members was carried.

An official of the section when questioned declined to make any definite statement, beyond the remark that "in the meantime we are committed to negotiations with the Government in regard to the salary schedules."

The new classification list shows no increase in the maximum for the clerical staff. This division comprises about 3000 employees, the service all told giving employment to about 7000. The largest increase to the maximum of the rank and file is £7, raising salaries of £233 to £240 Executive oiticers of the service nave had their salary increased from £320 to £335. To the girls who are employed as cxehange attendants an increase ot £5 a year has been granted. Members who were present at the meeting state that the gathering expressed disapproval of the new classification. It was at least expected, they said, that the cuts, amounting to £25 per annum, would be restored. One closely in touch with the trend of events in the P. and T. service expressed the opinion on Thursday that there was no likelihood of a general strike. "The only men in the service who might come out," he said, "are those in what may be called the unskilled sections, the sorters, messengers and letter-carriers. As to the telegraphists and the clerical division, there is no chance that they would strike. It a strike were to happen not mora than 40, or at the outside 50 per cent, of the men would join, and a strike on such lines, while it would no doubt dislocate operations to some degree, would not stop the running of the service. Of executive officers, men oarning about £300 a year, not five per cent, would go on strike. The saner men in the service know how hopeless it is to expect such a movement to be a success."

It also was pointed out that there are hundreds of superannuated men ready to step into the breach if a strike were called.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

CLAIMS BEING CONSIDERED.

A CONFERENCE SHORTLY.

[BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT ]

WELLINGTON, Friday. Interviewed on Thursday evening, the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. G. Coates, said he had been in very close consultation with the heads of the Post, and Telegraph Department and its secretary, anc! with them had considered the points raised by, the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association. He hoped to meet and again confer with the association very shortly.