P. AND T. KE-UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20463, 16 April 1928, Page 3

P. AND T. KE-UNION

ANNUAL GATHERING. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The annual Post and Telegraph re-union took place in the Federal Tea Rooms on Saturday evening, Mr E. A. Horan presiding over an attendance of eighty. The Mayor (Mr John Miller) and Messrs Adam and J. R. Hamilton, Members of Parliament, were present. In proposing the toast of the “Post and Telegraph Department,” Mr Miller said the general public had little idea of the ramifications of its work. The predominant idea was that it managed mails and the telegraph and nothing more. In reality the Department handled much more of the Government's affairs. In fact it could be called the “Cinderella” of the Civil Service. All the officers of the Department contributed their share and did their work well. The speaker thought their motto ought to be “Loyalty and service”—loyalty to their employers and service to the public. The Chief Postmaster, Mr W. T. Johnston, in reply, said the Post and Telegraph Department was looked upon as the revenue department. All the work that fell to them was attended to promptly, efficiently and at the least cost. Referring to the motto suggested by Mr Miller, the speaker said he had never yet met a member of the staff who was not loyal to his Department or who did not give the best of his service to the public. Complaints from the public were so few and even then so trivial that they could be ignored altogether. The service was not so elastic as it might be and at times they had rushes of business and as a result there was bound to be delays in some quarters, specially in the telephone branch. Otherwise it was an excellent service and frequently people from overseas had commented on the unfailing courtesy they received. It compared more than favourably with that of any other country, and even more important still the charges in the majority of cases were less. It was not egotistical for him to say that their Department gave efficient and courte. ous service. The toast of the “Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association” was in the hands of Mr Seator, who said that this society came into existence to promote the welfare of officers and the efficiency of the service, and if those aims were more widely recognized the association would be more appreciated The public was inclined to the belief that it existed for self alone, but such was not the case. It was there to maintain the rights and privileges of employees and the public alike and in these directions alone it had justified • its existence. Mr H. H. Brown (organizer) replied. Other toasts proposed during the evening were: “New Zealand Parliament,” proposed by Mr J. Furrie; reply, Messrs A. and J. R. Hamilton; “Kindred Associations.” proposed by Mr J. G. Hickey; “The Ladies” and “The Press.” Items were given during the evening by the orchestra, Mr T. Browne (song) ; trio, Messrs Henry, Harvey and Mason; Mr T. Quayle (song) ; Mr W. Buchan (recitation) ; Mr Webb (song) ; Mr L. Mclvor (song) ; Mr A. Credgington (recitation).