POSTAL OFFICERS’ GUILD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 49

POSTAL OFFICERS’ GUILD.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, October 7.

The Post and . Telegraph Officers’ Guild, which was formed by the executive officers of the P. and T. Department, reached the final stage of formation to-day, when 14 delegates representing every district of the Dominion met in conference. Mr M'Lean, chief postmaster, Wellington, who, with Mr Wilton formed the Wellington delegation was appointed president of the conference.

Mr G. M'Namara, secretary of the department, in an address, said he saw in the guild something he believed would have a marked effect on the service as it would bring into the department councils of the senior officers.

The Postmaster-General in a letter said the guild would be officially recognised and he would be glad to receive delegates and hear their views. A reporter was informed that the efforts of the organisers had been fully justified. The members already totalled 700 out of a possible 1150. The delegates are considering the draft constitution, drawn up by the provisional committee which now goes out of office.

ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. WELLINGTON, October 11.

The qonference concluded its sittings yesterday after four days’ strenuous work. Many matters of interest to members of the guild were discussed and important decisions arrived at. The decisions of the conference on the subjects were duly conveyed to the Postmastergeneral (Mr J. B. Donald) and the permanent head of the department (Mr G. M'Namara), both of whom gave the delegation a sympathetic hearing. The conference consider that in view of the present financial position no representations of any kind in regard to salaries should be made at the present time.

The conference affirmed the principle of retirement after the completion of 40 years’ service.

The delegation also expressed to the Minister the opinion that a system of arbitration in regard to salaries was not desirable, and that the present system should be maintained.

Other matters dealt with included proposals to publish a magazine at suitaable intervals, the publication to contain informative matter and other articles of interest to members of the guild. The incoming Management Committee was authorised to co-operate with other public service organisations with a view to giving evidence before the committee now investigating the superannuation funds. It was decided that the guild would not take any action in the direction of assistance to appellants in Appeal Board cases. It was decided to inaugurate a death benefit fund providing for assistance to widows and other relatives of deceased members.

The election of officers for the ensuing 12 months resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. M. M'Lean (chief postmaster, Wellington) ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. W. Furrie (assistant postmaster, Dunedin) and T. B. Londruin (supervisor, Hamilton). Mr E. J. Smith (Chief Post Office, Wellington) was elected as general secretary.

It was decided to set up a central Wellington committee as a management committee, and the following officers were elected:—Messrs H. A. Lamb, F. H. Guinness, R. B. Reynolds, E. W. Rudman, H. Miller, E. H. R. Green, F. Wilton, J. D. Magee, P. F. Coira, and J. B. Purcell.