THE P. & T. AND O.B.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18444, 30 March 1922, Page 5

THE P. & T. AND O.B.U.

SECRETARY REPLIES TO MINISTER.

(Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, March 29. Replying to the remarks of the Post, master-General on the affiliation of the Post and Telegraph Association withthe Alliance of Labour, Mr H. E. Combs, secretary to the Association, said that on the general question he thought it best to say nothing, aa decision now lay in the bands of members. They had already had the fullest possible information regarding the Alliance < f Labour, both through their own newspaper and through special general meetings called for the purjxise. “The officials of the Association,” said Mr Combs, u are just as keen as Hon. Coates to have a clear cut and definite expression of opinion from the Service, and in order to make sure that no vote shall be cut out through, delays in the past, they have postponed the count from -< lh March until Ith April, and have urged all members to exercise their rights of voting, whether they are for or against affiliation.”

On the subject of a Post and Telegraph employee continuing to hold sao red the oath of secrecy, Mr Combs was surprised to see that the PostmasterGeneral had given a second thought to th© printed suggestions in that direct, tion. Surely he had overlooked the unfairness—to say nothing more—of such an inference. All officers of the Department held sacred this oath qf secrecy, and officials of the Association realised how vital their doing so was to the efficiency and popularity of the Department. He hoped, he added, that those members of the public who have not friends or relations employed by the Department, and therefore no direct means of gauging the standard of honour prevailing in the. Department on this point, would immediately dismiss any apprehension they might have had on such a vital point. As to juniors having a right to vote, Mr Combs went on to say that the Association was accepting subscriptions from them and must, in fairness, give them the full privilege of membership. It should not be overlooked, he added, that many of these so-called juniors were called upon to perform duties equal in weight and importance to those required of seniors. It seemed rather strange i for anyone to challenge their ability to cast an intelligent and responsible vote because of their age, when no such misgivings operated when allotting them important and confidential duties. Moreover, to carry the. ballot to affiliate required a majority of three-fifths of the recorded votes. This should show, in view of the 7000 membership of the organisation, that a substantial check was placed on any possible irresponsibilities.