P. AND T. DEPARTMENT WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1933, Page 7

P. AND T. DEPARTMENT WORK

OFFICERS’ ANNUAL RE-UNION HELD GATHERING OF TARANAKI SECTION. Over 100 attended the annual re-union of the Taranaki section of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Employees’ Aslociation which was held at New Ply-, mouth last night. The number included many from Central and South Taranaki who were welcomed by the chairman, Mr. F. Rowe. The New Plymouth Borough Council was represented by the deputy-Mayor (Mr. F. J. Hill) and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce by the president (Mr. S. E. Shaw). In proposing the toast of the department Mr. Shaw said the consideration of the 1 activities of the department appealed to him as a commercial man because of the use the commercial interests made of the services offered. He referred to the need of the department in modem business and to the march of progress- which was assisting business fever more. The main feature of the postal department was the cheapness of the service rendered, its reliability and dependability. Tremendous strides had been made in the Telegraph Department to the inestimable benefit of the community. The telephone was probably the most frequently used of all the services and was absolutely indispensable. Taking these services unthinkingly one did not realise what a. boon they were. He paid a tribute to the. courtesy, efficiency and general high standard of service given to the town and district, which was very much appreciated. In the last few years many other duties had been superimposed upon the ordinary duties of the staff. In all a high standard of integrity was demanded and given and the department enjoyed the confidence of the public, which it would retain so long as it continued to render the same good service. - ■

lu reply the chief postmaster at New Plymouth (Mr. W. G. Cooper) said there was every reason to be proud of the department . He quoted figures to . show the enormous amount of work done by tne smooth working, of a great machine, The conditions of work- demanded efficiency, economy and adaptability, and the department thought its officers displayed those qualities because the de-, partment had the confidence of the public. The departmem was one of the greatest factors in the economic life of the community. The Government had confidence in placing in the hands of the aepartmeni many duties not within its true scope and the department had the reputation of doing all its work economically. • Mr. Bennett proposed the toast of the New Plymouth officers’ social club, which Was replied to by Mr. J. L. Walton, patron of the club. Mr. Hill proposed the health of the association, the members of which he was eure all were proud. The association was making great progress and now had a membership of about 7000. He was pleased the association had received recognition by the Government recently. He did not think the public realised the great amount of work performed by the post and telegraph officials. The progress made by the association was dependent upon the goodwill of the public, which the employees of the department earned by their unfailing courtesy in their dealings with the public. In response Mr. H. H. Brown, organiser of the association, said the function commemorated the restoration of recognition to the association'as it was the first held since the decision of . the Government. He referred to-’the possibility of the granting to the .association of the status it originally held and to the work done Dy the association for the members of the service in its 40 years’ existence. Other toasts proposed were: ‘‘The Ladies,” Mr. • L. Fieldes—Mr. N. Buch-anan-Baillie; ‘The Visitors." Mr. C. McGiven—Messrs. G. Dick (Hawera) and C. Francis (Stratford), ‘‘The Artists,” Mr, A. Williams—Mr. H. Heatley; ‘‘The Press,” Mr. C., L. Hunt. Items were contributed during the evening by Miss B. Turnbull (songs), Mr. H. Heatley (songs) and Miss A. F. Thompson (songs). Miss G. Greenwood was the accompaniste. A dance to music supplied by Williams’ orchestra followed.