ANNUAL REUNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 196, 20 August 1934, Page 8

ANNUAL REUNION

P. AND T. EMPLOYEES CITIZENS’ TRIBUTES. Tribute to the efficiency and usefulness of the Post aud Telegraph Department and to the integrity and loyalty of staffs of this department of ■ State activities was paid by prominent citizens at the annual reunion, on Saturday night, of the Wanganui section of 5 the N.Z- Post and Telegraph Eniploy- - ees’ Association. Among those present - were the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. N. G. 1 Armstrong, Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., Mr. ' D. T. Allan (telegraph engineer), Mr. J. Madden (postmaster), and Messrs. 11. ’ I’arnell (president ) and J. H. McKeuzie ’ (general secretary) of tire P. and T. Em- - ployecs’ Association. ’ The function, which was held in the Victoria Hall and was largely attended, 1 took the form of a banquet and was followed by a danc.Gu ’ The chairman was Mr. S. Harris, who > read apologies from Mr. McNamara, ; Director-General of the Department, Mr. A. S. Burgess, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John McLean, 1 the association’s delegate, and from 1 officers at Ohakune and Ohakune Junction. Mr. Harris extended a welcome to the Mayor and the Member for Wanganui, to the officers of the department and the association, and to the ' representatives of kindred associations. Proposing the toast of the P. and T. Department, Mr. Armstrong paid a tribute to the efficiency, smooth functioning and usefulness of this important State department. The general public took a great deal for granted these days, a fact which was itself a tribute to the department, for in these days no telegrams were delayed, no letters went astray and no telephone operators had to apologise to the busy man of commerce, “Sorry, line engaged.” Perhaps the scattered nature of the buildings iu which the P. and T. carried on activities in Wanganui did not find favour with some, and it might be wondered at that progress could be shown, but he could assure his listeners that ho and Mr. Veitch had co-operated in an effort to improve the position. Mr. Armstrong referred to Taumarunui’s £16,000 PostOffice, and expressed the hope that before long Wanganui would bo able to boast of a more imposing edifice. The ramifications of the P. and T. Department’s activities were briefly explored by Air. D. T. Allan in reply, the speaker claiming that it was an integral part of the business community. The department handled £153,000,000 during the year on its own behalf, while it handled £29,000,000 for other departments. Connected and concerned as they were with the business, social and domestic life of the Dominion, they could well be proud of the part played by the department and the calibre of its officers. The toast of “Parliament” was eloquently proposed by Mr. J. Gillick, and Mr. Veitch, in reply, stated that Parliament must ever be prepared to face public opinion and express it. That the attendance showed the appreciation of members of the work done by the association, was the claim made by the postmaster for Wanganui, Mr. J. Madden, in proposing the toast of the P. and T. Employees’ Association. In a service with 8000 officers a central body was needed, and a tribute could well be paid, to those stalwarts oi' the past who had laid the foundations and had helped to buildup the association. Replying, the Dominion president. Mr. Parnell, stated that all would appreciate the fact that the restoration of the Civil Service “cut” only to I those in receipt of salaries below £2OO could not be held as acceptable by the association. It was felt that the department’s officers should be given the power to undertake re-classification of the service and a thorough overhaul. They had telegraph messengers paying unemploymenU tax anA the wages levy out of a salary of £55. The P. and T. Department was churned to be the most efficient in the world and was in a sound financial position, making a contribution of £1,500,000 to the Consolidated Fund in. three years. Surely they could ask for a restoration of the cuts made. The officers had done their duty efficiently and were entitled to their reward. Mr. McKenzie, general secretary, added that the P. and T. Department paid every obligation and, moreover, built up a reserve from which money was paid into the Consolidated Fund. If the service had been of such assistance to the State the rates of remuneration should be increased to a degree commensurate with the services ren-, dered. The association was, however, l tired of the jurisdiction that Parliament had over the pay and traditions of the P. and T. Department. The State should get proper services for pay and the employees should get proper pay for their services. Other toasts honoured were “Kindred Associations,” by Mr. D. Sloan, of Christchurch, and replied to by Mr. J. Cotterill, and che “Press,” proposed by Mr. H. Alpine, of Dunedin, and replied to by a Press representative. Artists contributing items to ■ the function were Mrs. Bellringer (songs). Miss Ruscoe (elocutionary), Mr. W. Liddell (songs), Mr. W. Sharland (violin). Music for the dance which followed was supplied by the River City Syncopators.