THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 7

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

—. «»» POST AND TELEGRAPH BRANCH. RECONSTRUCTION WAGES BOARD ADVOCATED. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, April 1. At a meeting of the Wellington branch of*the Post and Telegraph Association last night the appointment, of a reconstructed Wages Board, fully representative of the Public Sendee, was advocated. During the course of his speech, Mr Combs (secretary) declared it had been known day by day since Christmas that a crisis would arise, as the department had met the association only half way regarding the production of the salary schedule for the next live years. “It was somewhat astonishing to think,” said Mr Combs, “that the conditions of reclassification which wore due on April 1, which axe to operate for the next five years, and which affect some 6CCO people, are not known. In 12 hours’ time the service will be classified, and we do not know one thing about the form it is to take. The system is wrong. The executive Ims been hammering away at the department to produce these schedules. Wo have been patience personified, hut our efforts have been fruitless.” The meeting passed resolutions supporting the railwaymen in opposing the 48-hour week, and pledged its support in the fight for a just wages schedule. SUPPORT FROM OTHER BRANCHES. The Nelson and Invercargill branches of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association passed resolutions similar to rhosc passed by the Auckland and other branches.