POSTAL OFFICERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 13

POSTAL OFFICERS

ASSOCIATION'S STATUS

DENIAL OF RECOGNITION

PERMANENCY NOT LIKELY

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER]

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The action of I lie Government in refusing official recognition to tlie Post and Telegraph Employees' Association was discussed by Labour members at considerable length when the Estimates of the Post and Telegraph Association were under consideration in the House of Representatives to-day. The Postmaster-General, the Hon. A. Hamilton, replied that no good purpose would be served by reviving tho circumstances connected with the action that had been taken, lie hinted, howver, that non-recognition of the association would not be permanent.

The question was raised by Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour—Auckland West), who expressed tho opinion that the Government could deal more satisfactorily with the association than with individual members of the Post and Telegraph service.

Attitude Criticised The Leader of tho Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, said the department and the Minister had taken up an untenable attitude. The Post and Telegraph Department was one of the best services in New Zealand and comprisod a body of public employees equal to any in tho world. Bocause the Government developed the suspicion that the Post and Telegraph Employees' Association was leaning in a certain direction, it took steps to refuse recognition to the association. It was extraordinary that because of those circumstances recognition should be refused.

Ho was given to understand that the association had asked the Government for a non-political tribunal to settle working conditions, and had agreed to accept the conditions laid down by that tribunal. The association had given an undertaking that if that right were extended to it, it would keep free of political entanglements. It seemed to him that recognition had been refused the association as a matter of political retaliation. Several other Labour members supported the remarks made by Mr. Holland. Throughout the discussion, Mr. J. A. Nash had been acting as Chairman of Committees. Shortly after Mr. S. G. Smith resumed the chair, Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon) was called to order when he attempted to express his views on the non-recognition of the association. "I protest emphatically at discrimination on the part of the chairman," declared Mr. Sullivan. "Other members have been allowed to discuss this question and yet I am refused the same opportunity."

Mr. Smith: Order! That is a reflection on the chair.

Mr. Sullivan withdrew under protest.

Cause of the Trouble

The Hon. A. Hamilton said he quite agreed that the Post and Telegraph Department was one of the best services. Officers of the department were as loyal as those to be found anywhere. He did not think that Mr. A. S. Richards had been very far wrong when he had said the trouble was due to one or two irresponsibles.

Mr. R. Semple (Labour —Wellington East): And you penalise the lot. The Minister said he did not believe in individual bargaining. He agreed that collective bargaining was preferable. A clash had occurred, and there had been certain differences of opinion. The trouble, however, might be healed in time and he did not know that it was advisable to go into the matter too deeply. Probably it was just as well to leave it alone. As actingMinister of Employment, he also knew of the wonderful work of the Post and Telegraph Department. L Mr. Sullivan: Will this business be permanent ? Mi\ Hamilton: I don't think that is intended.

Mr. Savage sought to move an amendment with the object of postponing consideration of the Estimates to give tho Minister opportunity to arrange a conference with officers of the association with a view to bringing about the principle of collective bargaining between the department and the association.

The amendment was ruled out of order, but Mr. Savage moved to report progress with the same object in view. The amendment was defeated by 33 votes to 17.

SMALL ABMS CONTRACT

EARLY STATEMENT EXPECTED

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Replying fo a question in the House today, asked during tho consideration of the Defence Department estimate, the Minister of Defence, (lie Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said negotiations regarding the small arms contract were proceeding and he hoped to be able to make an announcement shortly.