DEADLOCK WITH MINISTER

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1932, Page 7

DEADLOCK WITH MINISTER

P. AND T. SERVICE’S OFFER REJECTION BY MR. HAMILTON RECOGNITION WITHHELD REFUSAL TO MEET SERVICE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The executive of the P. and T. Employees’ Association met at Wellington to-day to try to end the deadlock that has existed since May 24, when the Government announced that it had withdrawn the official recognition previously extended to the organisation as being representative of a big majority of employees in the Post and Telegraph Department. ° As a result of the executive’s deliberations the Postmaster-General (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) was informed that the executive was prepared to eschew party politics absolutely; that its officials and its journal would refrain from advocating changes of Governments or the claim* of any political party; that it was desirous of removing service conditions from the political arena altogether. It -was indicated that the desire to keep service conditions clear of politics was evidenced for some years by advocacy by the association of the institution of a judicial board or tribunal to decide service emoluments and conditions. However, until such a change was effected the association could not forego the practice of making representations to members of Parliament in connection with legislation that was intended to affect the economic welfare of ite members.

In submitting these undertakings and opinions the association expressed the hope that the Postmaster-General would accept them in the same spirit as that in which he as Minister of Labour had mediated to end the recent dispute in the coal-mining industry, and that he would now receive representatives to discuss any necessary details. Replying by telegram later the Post-master-General said that as he had already made it plain that renewed relations would depend on the association undertaking to refrain from attempting io enlist the assistance of members of Parliament or the public in matters concerning service conditions he could not see that any purpose would be served in his meeting representatives of the association to discuss any other terms, and he declined to receive a deputation accordingly.

In consequence of the continued deadlock the members of the executive of the association decided to report the position to the general membership and return to their respective centres immediately. When seen by a reporter officials of the organisation said that the outcome was most disappointing, but they had nothing further to comment until the general membership had considered the position. -