THE P. AND T. EXODUS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 6

THE P. AND T. EXODUS

. Notwithstanding official disclaimers, we fear there is something radically wrong in the New Zealand poet and telegraph service. Evidences of this have been forthcoming recently in statements in the “Times” and other newspapers, allegations of serious grievances having been made with such emphasis and persistency that the public —the real employer—has been made to experience considerable uneasiness. The high authorities, however, seek to make the people believe that while there is plenty of smoke there is really no lire —that everything is right as right can 'be, and the service as a whole in a contented, peaceful, happy condition. And, indeed, there ought to be a greater feeling of satisfaction pervading the staffs at tho present time than over before, for have not the Re-fonn-Tareated Commissioners taken charge even before their time? Have not -three gentlemen of renown been appointed at high salaries and hurriedly sot to work to “place the service on a better footing,” to "remove patronage and jobbery,” to “restore confidence” so that all may realise that henceforth, from now on, with the glorious advent of “Reform,” justice shall reign supreme and labour be rewarded strictly in conformity to merit? But we. ask if anybody in the whole of New Zealand can discover in the signs of the times the dawning of the new day promised. On tho contrary, there exist in many branches of the pubservice bitter disappointment and grave apprehension. In the post and telegraph service the incoming of Commissioners is coincident with an exodus .of useful officers who can ill be spared from their important department. Tho article we publish in our news columns this morning from the “Katipo,” the official organ of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, speaks for itself. The “spirit of unrest, more than usually pronounced,” in the rank and file of the service, leading many officers to seek employment elsewhere, certainly demands investigation and effective action. We greatly fear that there is likely to be serious trouble, unless some restraining band is placed upon the incessant and increasing demands of officialdom for examinations. Reasonable tests of efficiency are, of course, quite necessary, but the craze for examinations that has now set in appears to be exceeding the bounds of prudence. This is quoted by the Auckland correspondent of the “Katipo” as “the chief reason why we are losing tho best of our young operators.”