POST AND TELEGRAPH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12042, 1 May 1920, Page 5

POST AND TELEGRAPH.

STATEMENT BY VICZ-PRESIDENT

Per Press Association. . w "'"-"■'ton, April 30 Mr H G Brown*'vice ?Ufc °f ihe North Island P& T Offiflefe' Association, interviewed regarding tb» meaning of the resolutions passed in various parto of the conntry, ssid the position was one requiring a franfe expression of opinion. In 1914 tire whole service considered themselves inadequately paid. Since then the-officers had not endeavonred to embarrass the Department and had accepted a war bonus as a part measure towards meeting the increased cost of living. However, the cost of living; had now outgrown the war bonus allotted, and the Government decided in 1918 that reclassification of the service was essential. The revised reclassification list of last year proved totally inadequate, more especially to the sank and file, Officers considered they were entitled to maintain the prewar standard of living The service held that they were entitled to at least a salary based on pre-war rates with the annual increments to which officers were entitled before reaching the maximum of their respective classes, plus 62 per cent which the Government itself assessed as the increased cost of living. Mr Brown stressed that the maximum salary of officers of the Department was not commensurate with the work performed. were common throughout the service, officers receiving onlv 13s per day. This compared very unfavourably with rates ruling outside. Continuing, Mr Brown said that so far as the present crisis was concerned, the Prime Minister had stated than whatever was granted to the railway would bo given to the rest of the Public Service This included P& T members, who were directly concerned in the success or failure of the cause of the railwaymen. Since February sth last, the P & T executive had been endeavouring to secure an interview with the Postmaster-General and'the Prime Minister to discuss grievances, but the latter had not so fa rreplied. The last communication on the subject was made by the permanent secretary of the Association writing on February sth. The Premier promised to fix a time to meet the Association. Asked how the executive would view *he matter if the Premier did not consent, Mr Brown said they viewed the position with tho greatest seriousness. Unfortunately, the public, not the Government, would suffer, but he thought the public were sympathetic. Wise Dounselling on the part of the public with the Government can avoid the most serious crisis the Association ever had to face Ho Relieved public opinion was strong enough to prevail statesmen of the country. '

STOP-WORK MEETINGS PROPOSED. Palmerston N., April 80 The chairman of the Manawatu section of the P &T. Officers' Association says- the Association has received a wire from Wellington headquarters to-day, asking what action the section would take if the Government continued to sidestep an interview. The reply was Chat stopwork meetings should he called in every office on Monday next. A HOTLY-WORDED RESOLUTION. Auckland, April 30 The Executive of the Auckland section of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association to-day carried the following hotly-worded resolution: We consider the shelving of the war bonus promised by Sir Joseph Ward to be a disgrace to any Government, and an insult to the intelligence of members of the Post and Telegraph Service. We desire that she Press be fully advised that despite frequent requesti within the last few monWis no interview with the Premier or Postmaster-Genoral has been granted. The time is now opportune to press the claims of the Service in'conjunction with those of the railway, that a definite salary, excluding bonuses, be fixed immediately, «uch salaries to be based upon the relation of the cost of living now and that obtaining in 1914. In our opinion the Government itself is causing discontent by not fixing salaries on a fair basis, as it has made other employers do, and any strike which has been or will be the outcome of such dilly dallying will be entirely' warranted. To on the Govornsaent the feelinga of the men We ask that. the Executive Council be called together immediately, temporarily agreeing to rule 17 A (which provides for a month's notice), and that failiag considera«on of our demands the Executive irTstruct all branches so call stopwork meetings to Consider wha, further action shall be taken. Westport, April 30

At 6 meeting of the Wustport section 0% the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association, the following resolution ; waß carried unanimously: "That the' executive appeal for a substantial increase in salaries, and that failing to obtain same, a ballot be taken wiih a view to drastic action." m . . ..' Timaru, April SO At; a well-attended meeting of the » branch of the Post and Tele--1 rt*aph Omcerj' Aaaosiation, the fol- ' resolutions were passed:— ..•'Piiaffchis masting s:rongly resents ," Prime Minister's sdacoarteons tne -" executive committee in refnsn t> poised. We r/.quest as previon. jve demarr i a riftbt to that the be beaia, and t , £o &iTan^Q a n inister oe reqaeste Qacl fnrtbor we terview forthwith, nmed j atß payagain press for the jl bv mentof the war bonus _ reaSoDaM " e Sir Joseph Y/ard. Failing - attitnde on the pari: of ttu. + ive to Minister, we request'the ot immediately arrange a secret bi> , to decide on further course of actiu-0.-That this meeting tenders the rail-1 waymen its best wishes for the sue cessful and early termination of their fight for improved conditions, and informs this Association's executive that it is favourable to striking a levy to financially assist the men affected.