P. AND T. SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1921, Page 5

P. AND T. SERVICE.

RETRENCHMENT FOR ECONOMY. WARNING BY THE MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Postmaster-General (Hon. J. G. Coates) attended by invitation the opening of the annual conference of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association.

He pointed to the loss last year and said the public would not stand any more charges. To meet the position it would be necessary to carry out certain reductions and his object was to avoid a reduction in the staff of permanent officers. There would be hardship for many who thought they had positions which would, last their lifetime. This was unavoidable, but He would be unfaithful to his trust if he did not endeavor to prevent a landslide in the department. He wanted to avoid rigid retrenchment.

Referring to the question of full political rights he thought it would be a pity to disturb the public confidence in the department, which had been gained by the fact that its officers took no part in politics. The Minister reviewed previous agreements concerning official recognition of the association. He said he was not prepared to extend the provisions of the existing official recognition in the direction concerning the association’s right to be consulted before any change of salaries and other conditions of employment were made. Moving the adoption of the annual report, Mr. McKenzie (president of the association) referred to the present time crisis in the affairs of the association, which would require careful handling. There were threats of retrenchment and existence was barely recognised by the Government. Privileges had been gradually whittled away, till the present conference was “bn leave without pay.” The association was discredited as official representatives. The service was denied a tribunal, but claimed the right of the association to act as a gobetween for the service and the department.