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PERSONAL Mr. H. M. Patrick, M.V.0., was appointed Director-General on the Ist February, in succession to Mr. J. G. Young, who retired on superannuation on the 31st January after completing almost fortythree years' service. Mr. Patrick was succeeded as Deputy Director-General by Mr. C. L. Mayo, Second Deputy Director-General, who was replaced in turn by Mr. P. N. Cryer, Divisional Director, General Post Office. Mr. Patrick had been appointed Deputy Director-General on the Ist December in succession to Mr. J. Madden, who, having completed forty-three years' service, retired 011 superannuation 011 the 30th November. Mr. Mayo filled the position of Second Deputy Director-General from the Ist December to the 31st January, inclusive. Mr. M. A, Pike, Deputy Chief Engineer, was appointed Chief Engineer on the 6th June, in succession to Mr. P. V. R. C. Miles, who retired on superannuation 011 the sth June after completing over forty-four years' service. Mr. Pike was replaced by Mr. E. H. R. Green, Superintending Engineer, General Post Office. Mr. P. Cutforth, Director of Accounts, General Post Office, retired on superannuation on the 31st March on completion of over forty-four years' service. He is to be succeeded by Mr. .T. J. Knight, formerly Deputy Director of Accounts, General Post Office. Comparative Return of Persons employed in Department Ist April, Ist April, Permanent Staff — J044. 1045. Administrative .. .. .. .. .. 17 17 First Division .. .. .. .. 4,560 4,370 Second Division (including Junior Assistants) .. .. 7,335 7,305 11,912 11,692 Temporary and Casual Staff .. .. .. .. 5,309 5,188 *17,221 f16,880 Non-permanent Staff— Country Postmasters and Telephonists, including Railway officers 1,611 1,577 18,832 18,457 * Includes 5,150 sorving with Armed Forces. f Includes 4,108 serving with Armed Forces. Officers serving with the Armed Forces There are 4,198 employees of the Department at present serving with the Armed Forces, comprising 4,125 permanent officers and 73 temporary employees. Of the 1,580 employees who have returned to work in the Department after having performed military duty, 473 resumed from overseas service and 1,107 from service in New Zealand. Every effort to release officers for the Forces continues to be made, but it is necessary to withhold 011 appeal 228 employees who are eligible for overseas service. The extensive activities of the Department in telephone, telegraph, and radio fields directly concerned with the Armed Forces have necessitated the retention of these men. The return from the Forces of men who have had long service overseas will permit the release over a period of the majority of those held on appeal. Roll of Honour It is recorded with regret that during the course of the war the following casualties have been sustained by departmental employees : killed in action, 91 ; died of wounds, 23 ; death presumed, 77 ; accidentally killed, 27 ; died from sickness, 9 ; died while prisoners of war, 8 ; deceased (unclassified), 1 ; missing, 32 ; wounded, 245 ; prisoners of war, 154 ; total, 667. Post Office Honours List Officers continue to add laurels to their service in the Forces. Since the commencement of hostilities 54 employees have received decorations and awards, while 46 have been mentioned in despatches. Staffing Position The staffing position, while fairly stable at a number of offices, has at many others been unsatisfactory, due to some extent to the Department's inability to recruit sufficient women to fill vacancies which are continually occurring. The heavy demands for female labour for industry and for nursing and other important work has resulted in a very close review of all female labour potential being undertaken by Man-power Authorities. This diversion of women to high priority work has restricted considerably the Department's field for recruitment. Although officers who have been discharged from the Forces are gradually returning to duty in the Department, great difficulty is being experienced in providing suitable replacements for young officers who are continually proceeding 011 national service. The position in this respect is aggravated by the fact that the recruitment of boys and girls for telegram-delivery work has been seriously affected as a result of the demands of industry. These juniors are essentially the basis of the Department's staffing structure, and any serious interruption in their admission to the Service has an adverse effect upon staffing generally.

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