P. AND T. SALARIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 29 September 1924, Page 8

P. AND T. SALARIES.

“ DEPARTMENT ABLE TO PAY.” Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 29. Till- H. E. Combs, secretary of the P. and T. Officers’ Association, replying to Mr Coates, says:—“The Postiil a s ter-G e tier al ’ s statement is so full of generalities that it is hard to know where to begin in replying to him, but one may fairly take his reference to the extravagant salary demands put | loins ard by the association, and generally endorsed by 7000 members.” Iho association, lie said, asked for the restoration of the 1914 standard of living. As its members dod not live in an extravagant fashion m 1914 far from it—it was for Mr Uoates to prove that such a demand was extravagant. As a matter of fact, although the cost of living for all groups was over 60 per cent, higher than it was in 1914, the association only asked that the maximum fur telegraphists,, etc., should be raised by 39 per cent., and for postmen, etc., by 33 per cent. It only asked that telegraph messengers be paid £65 for the first year and £7O for the second, whereas, in Australia, they were paid £77. That the Department was in a position to agree to these moderate demands was shown by its annual report and the Budget, in Which, the value of the concessions in postage and telegraph rates was estimated to be over £600,000. Mr Combs said he wanted to make it clear that he never had a personal discussion with Mr Coates on the salary question. Every time lie met Mr Coates it was as one of a deputation from the association, and what was said during the course of the interview was said on behalf of the organisation, and under its instructions. Me was in agreement with the representations made, and still thought they were very reasonable, especially as the Government had a handsome surplus in hand, and therefore was in a position to pay.