POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16726, 29 April 1920, Page 2

POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES.

IN REBELLIOUS MOOD. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 28. At an urgent m -jetmg or employees of tho iViauawatu sec non or tuo .rose and Telegraph Officers’ Association, marked throughout by enthusiasm, the following resolutions were unanimously passed;— That the Ministry be .given hi hours' notice to meet our executive, and, further, in tho event of our demauos uemg side-stepped, that stop-work meetings be held throughout the service to decide on further attion. It was resolved to request the executive to demand that all soldier members of tile service be placed on the same footing as half-pays. The meeting also heartily resolved to support the railway employees in their struggle for justice, ana pjfer support. Keen feeling was evident throughout the meeting, which closed with eneers for the railwayman. WELLINGTON, April 28. The P. and T. Officers’ Association meet to-night, when matters connected with the bonus are likely to come to a head. Officials say that almost anything may happen as a result of the meeting. MEETING AT WANGANUI. At a meeting of over 100 members of tho Post and Telegraph Department last night the question of a sympathetic strike was discussed. Ultimately the following resolution was carried unanimously : “The Wanganui section of the post and telegraph is entirely sympathetic with the A.S.R.S. in their fight for a living wage and betterment ot conditions against an unsympathetic Government. It considers the Post and Telegraph Association should offer financial assistance, also that a conference bo at once called to deal with tho questions at issue. Further, the meeting pledges itself to support tho Executive in whatever action it may see tit to take.” MEETING IN WELLINGTON. NO HASTY ACTION.

WELLINGTON, April 29. At a meeiSng of members of the Post and Telegraph Association a motion was proposed that, failing the recognition of the association through the executive a ballot should bo organised and if necessary the executive should be called on to take extreme action. It was asserted that members had to work at night and got their wives to take in sewing in order to support their families. Some speakers thought the proposal too drastic, and an amendment was carried demanding an interview within seven days regarding increases, failing this, monster meetings of ail brandies will be held on Sunday, Slay 9, to decide w;hat action to take. The executive was requested to call a conference with a view to properly organising the association to meet emergencies. 'The secretary said a message had been received from -Mr. Massey which was interpreted to mean that the bonus alleged to have been promised by Sir Joseph Ward was not to be paid. The meeting resolved on insisting on a straight-out reply within three days, and if the answer was in the negative the meeting pledged itself to stand' by any action the executive might think fit.

MEETING AT NEW PLYMOUTH. STRONG DISCONTENT. A largely attended meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the Post and Telegraph Association was held on Wednesday evening and a resolution was passed calling upon the executive to immediately demand an interview with tho Prime Minister and Postmas-ter-General in connection witli the rato of pay allotted, and that in the event of refusal stop-work meetings be held throughout the Dominion. The discussion showed that despite repeated applications the Prime Minister and his colleagues have repeatedly side-stepped their requests for interviews made by the executive committee. , The sympathy of the meeting was also expressed with the railwaymen in their light for justice and reasonable remuneration. The non-receipt of the result of tho Chief Justice’s inquiry with regard to tho late Postmaster-General's promise of a war bonus resulted in a stronglyworded resolution hging forwarded for transmission to Cabinet. A resolution was also passed requesting the executive to immediately summon a conference to discuss the present position of the service. , A RUMOUR DENIED. It was rumoured about town this morning that members of the Post and Telegraph Association were coining out on strike at noon to-day, but inquiries elicited no confirmation of the rumour. A departmental oar left Wanganui for New Plymouth this morning witlv a mail from Wellington and will collectmails from inter-mediate offices, arriving here this afternoon in time to connect with the Earawa. The car will leave with outward mails to-morrow morning.'