POSTAL SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 18811, 3 May 1920, Page 6

POSTAL SERVICE

THE PREVAILING DISCONTENT,

MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE DOMINION.

(Per United Press Association.)

1 DUNEDIN, May 2. An extraordinary meeting of the local branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association was held on Saturday evening to discuss the attitude of the Association towards the railway crisis, and consider the negotiations pending between the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association .and the Prime Minister and the PostmasterGeneral. The meeting was well attended and representative of every branch of the Department. The following resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority;— “That this meeting records its resentment at the refusal hitherto of the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-General to meet the executive committee of the Association in discussion upon the grievances of the service. It contrasts this cavalier indifference with the courteous bearing and consideration of the former political heads of the Department. This branch also endorses the action of the executive committee in insisting upon an increase of 62 per cent, upon the basic wage of 1914. It also approves of the suggestion to immediately call together the executive council should the projected interview with the Prime Minister prove abortive. This branch also desires to record its sympathy with the railwaymen in the struggle for better living conditions, and pledges itself to loyally support its own executive council in whatever course their judgment leads them to follow.” It was also unanimously decided to demand the immediate payment of the war bonus as promised by Sir Joseph Ward. A discussion took place upon the agitation for payment of half the civil pay to officers of the Department who served at the front, and the following resolution was unanimously adopted: “That the executive be urged to use fresh efforts to obtain half-pay for all members who were absent with the Expeditionary Force. It compares unfavourably the action of this Government in refusing half-pay to all but a few with that of the Home Government, which placed all its Post and Telegraph employees on full pay. It considers that a gross injustice has been done to those men who enlisted in other units in refusing to put them ok the same footing as those selected for the postal or signal branches of the force.”

OAMARU. OAMARU, May 2. At a largely-attended meeting of the Oamaru branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association held on Saturday night the following resolution was unanimously carried;—“ That failing an amicable settlement of the present grievances of Post and Telegraph servants at the promised interview on Wednesday, our executive be instructed to immediately call for a strike ballot.” WEST COAST. GKEYMOUTH, May 2, The West Coast section of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association held a very largely-attended meeting to-day. Resolutions were passed unanimously demanding payment of the promised war bonus, the reinstatement of officers who resigned and joined the N.Z.EJ., and a general improvement in salaries and conditions. The meeting, which was an enthusiastic one, pledged itself to loyally support the Association executive in securing these rights for the service. NAPIER. NAPIER, May 2. A largely-attended meeting of the Napier branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association this morning carried thp (following resolution unanimously:— ‘“That this large meeting of the Napier section expresses its confidence fe the patience and constitutional attempts of the executive to obtain justice from the Government in regard to the present inadequate salaries caused by the high cost of living, but should the meeting with the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-Gene-ral prove abortive, this section considers the time will have arrived for the immediate calling together of the executive council for the purpose of tafcng a stronger line of action to obtain our just rights.” PARLIAMENTARIANS AT WORK. WELLINGTON, May 1. Local members of Parliament have intervened in postal and telegraph matters. Messrs E. Newman, G, Mitchell and W. H. Field attended a meeting yesterday, and afterwards arranged for an interview with Mr Massey and Mr Coates when the latter returns next week.

INVERCARGILL AND GORE BRANCHES,

Yesterday morning a large and enthusiastic meeting of the local branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association was held, in common with other parts of the dominion, when the following resolution was carried unanimously:—“ The Invercargill section pledges itself to support the executive that a 62 per cent, increase of wages is the only basis of increase that can be accepted and also pledges itself to support the executive in any action it may take if the conference with the PostmasterGeneral and the Prime Minister on Wednesday proves abortive.” A large meeting of the Gore branch was held on Saturday evening, the following resolutions being carried unanimously ; “That this meeting of the Gore members of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Association views with alarm the Prime Minister’s statement re the publication of the Chief Justice’s report relative to the alleged promise of the war bonus by Sir J. G. Ward and interprets it to imply that the bonus will not be granted. This meeting furthermore pledges itself to support the executive in any action it may take to secure immediate payment thereof.” “That in view of the gravity of the situation, the public press; members of Parliament, Chambers of Commerce, and other organisations should at once intervene and secure for the State workers immediate financial relief in order that they may be able to keep pace with the further decrease in the purchasing power of the sovereign, as it cannot be expected that an underpaid and discontented body of workers can render efficient public service.”