P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6597, 9 May 1925, Page 2

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

THE SECRETARY SUPPORTED MEETING OF CANTERBURY SECTION WELLINGTON BODY CRITICISED At a special general meeting of the Canterbury section of the Post and Telegraph Officers* Associations consider the question of agreeing to allow the general secretary, Mr H. E. Combs, to stand for Parliament and rescinding the resolution to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour, Mr H. B. Ward presided over a small attendance.

The chairman moved that this section, recognising Mr Comb’s worth and ability, and believing that irrespective of party he would be an asset to Parliament extends to him their cordial good wishes for success in the forthcoming general election. That Mr Comb’s services as permanent secretary be retained in the meantime should he be successful in gaining political honours in December next. That twelve days accumulated leave be granted Mr Combs as early as possible. This section is of the opinion, however, that any such accumulation of leave is wholly undesirable, and strongly urge the committee to guard against any repetition of the same in the future. That this section, recognising that the Association consists of 8000 members with widely differing views on matters political and otherwise, is strongly adverse to the use of the “Katipo” for party propaganda, and advises the executive accordingly.

WELLINGTON ATTACK DEPRECATED

The chairman deprecated the Wellington section’s attack on Mr Combs, who had done good work for the Association. Political rights had been advocated by the Association and, this being the case, it was unfair to Mr Combs such a right himself since he had placed his resignation in the hands of the Association.

The motion was passed after some discussion on clause D, opinion being expressed that the columns of the % “Katipo” had been used to much in the past for political purposes. The view was also expresed that there was room for considerable improvement in the matter published in the magazine.

The chairman moved that the executive take steps to rescind the motion relative to the decision to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour. In doing so, he submitted that instead of gaining anything by declining to affiliate with the Alliance members had in fact gone back. x

Mr Turner said that there was no chance of any Government in the future allowing public servants to join up with an outside Labour organisation owing to the confidential nature of their work. The only way to get their grievances seen to was through the members of Parliament. If there was a strike at any time the commercial community would get together and break it as the telegraphs were essential to them. “A USELESS BODY”

The Alliance was described by Mr Lawrence as a useless body of.no service to Labour, and of no use to the Association. He knew it would not be unacceptable to. the Government if the whole body of public servants were placed under the Arbitration Court, but he hoped this would never come about as it would not benefit the Association.

As the meeting had dwindled to less than a quorum the matter will have to be decided at a later date.— N.Z. Times.