P. AND T. OFFICERS

Southland Times, Issue 19478, 30 March 1922, Page 5

P. AND T. OFFICERS

SECRETARY REPLIES TO POSTMAST-ER-GENERAL THE OATH OF SECRECY. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 29. Replying to the remarks of the Post-master-General on the affiliation of the Post and Telegraph Association with the Alliance of Labour, Mr H. E. Combs, secretary of the Association, said that on the general question he thought it best to say nothing as the decision now lay in the hands of the members. They had already the fullest possible information regarding the Alliance of Labour, both through their own newspaper and through the special general meetings called for that purpose. Officials of the Association are just as keen as the Hon. Mr Coates to have a clear cut and definite expression of opinion from the service, and to make sure that no vote shall be cut out through delays in the post and have postponed the count from March 30 until April 4. They have urged all members to exercise their right of voting whether they are for or against affiliation. On the subject of post and telegraph employees continuing to hold sacred the oath of secrecy Mr Combs was surprised to see that the Postmaster-General had given no second thought to the printed suggestions in that direction. He had surely bverlooked the unfairness, to say nothing more, of such an inference. All the officers of the Department hold sacred this oath. The secretary and officials of the Association realise how vital their doing so is to the efficiency and popularity of the department. He hoped to see, he added, that those members of the public who have not friends or relations employed by the department, and have therefore no direct means of gauging the standard of honour prevailing in the department on this point, would immediately dismiss any apprehensions they might have had on such a vital point As to juniors having the right to vote Mr Combs went on to say that the Association is accepting subscriptions from them, and must in fairness give them the full privileges of membership. It should not be overlooked, he added, that many of these so-called juniors are called upon to perform duties equal in weight and importance to those required of seniors. It seems rather strange for anyone to challenge their ability to cast an intelligent and responsible vote, because of their age, when no such misgiving operates when allotting them important and confidential duties. Moreover, to carry the ballot to affiliate requires a majority of three-fifths of the recorded votes. This should show, in view of the 7000 membership of the organisation, that a substantial check is placed on any possible irresponsibles.