THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Southland Times, Issue 18810, 1 May 1920, Page 4

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Evidence is accumulating in regard to the unrest amongst the government employees and the far-reaching effects of the delays that have taken place during the past months with reference to a settlement of the claims of civil servants for increases in pay. In another column we print an interview with a member of the Post anti Telegraph Officers’ Association, who puts the case of his colleagues in a manner that should make plain to the public the grounds for the men’s present complaints, and it, is a significant fact that he says, what the raihvaymeu have been saying, that a round-table conference with the Prime Minister would probably lead to a settlement. It is clear that the public servants are confident that if they can put their claims before Mr Massey and argue them with him, they will receive a sympathetic hearing. Such a feeling must go a long way towards a settlement of these troubles. It is a disturbing fact, if true, that the finding' of Sir Robert Stout in regard to the “promise” made by Sir Joseph Ward, when he was a Minister of the Crown, of a double war bonus, has not been made known to the association, which is so vitally interested in it. As far as we know the public has certainly not been made aware of the conclusions come to by the Chief Justice in this matter and we think that the public is entitled to know them. On the question of the increase hi pay granted to the officers of the service since 1914 there is a wide disagreement, the department stating that the increase has been £55.24 and the association, using, as it says, official figures, calculates the increase as £36.51. The difference between these two estimates is so great tit at the public is justified in withholding any opinion on the point until there is some explanation as to the basis adopted for calculation in each case. We do not intend to discuss the 'merits or otherwise of the men’s full demands, but it seems to us that they are entitled to feel that they have not been treated quite fairly in regard to the long-promised interview. Mr Massey has his hands so full at the present moment that he cannot be expected to undertake an immediate consideration of the P. and T. case, but as far as we can gather from the correspondence that has passed between the association and the government, a frank discussion of the whole position with (he Postmaster-General, who is the head of the department, would satisfy the association’s immediate requirements. It, is possible that the definite promise of such a discussion would be accepted in the 1 meantime. The public will be impressed by the fact, that the Public Servants’ Association, covering all the public departments outside of the railwayman and the Post and Telegraph employees, has also given evidence of unrest. Mr Massey is in a j difficult position and allowances must be i made for the immense amount of public | work that he has had thrust upon him since 1 the beginning of the present year and we hope that in any future action the public servants will realise that, in spite of the okl delays, they have much to gain | and everything to lose by precipitate action. I The government is harassed at the present j moment and the public will not view lightly j any increase in the difficulties that face the | Prime Minister and his colleagues, if they | can possibly bo avoided. Public opinion | will be the deciding factor in these matters, j and anything in the nature of unreason- \ ableness will turn the community definitely against the public servants, who are in a peculiar position in relation to the community. We hope, therefore, that the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association will not think that the fact of the railwaymen being on strike offers them a good opportunity for drastic action. It does not; | but on the other hand they are entitled to i ask for a conference at the earliest possible i date and that, we think, the government i should grant.