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-officers in the First Division. This removes what has been considered to be an unnecessary distinction in classification as between two groups of officers all of whom function in executive positions. Improvements were also effected in the salary scales for Second Division female ■officers such as postmistresses, telephone-exchange supervisors and operators, shorthandwriters, and others. In addition to the salary improvements already referred to, the promotion to higher-graded positions of some 1,300 officers was arranged. The wages of temporary and casual employees also were reviewed and increases .granted in accord with the improvements made in the salary schedules for the permanent officers of the Service. Promotions to the First Division The practice of promoting suitable Second Division officers to First Division positions, which had to be suspended in the war years, was resumed during the year and the promotion of some 450 officers was arranged. It is proposed to make another movement in this direction in the near future, and any appointments authorized will •be retrospective to the 1946-47 financial year. POST OFFICE WELFARE SCHEME The activities of the welfare scheme administered by the Post Office Welfare Trust Board have continued to expand during the year, and there are now over 10,000 contributing members. WORKSHOPS The value of work performed in the various workshops during the year was £436,244. Of this amount, £68,389 represents the value of services rendered to other "Government Departments. REGISTRATION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED WORK At the 31st March, 1947, licensed motor-vehicles in the Dominion numbered 329,575 of which 30,032 were new registrations. Motor-registration fees collected amounted to £617,156. The premiums collected on behalf of the thirty-seven insurance companies .authorized to underwrite business in terms of the Motor-vehicles Insurance (Third-party Risks) Act, 1928, totalled £374,600. Mileage-tax amounting to £31,152 was collected in respect of 647 vehicles. STORES The value of stores and equipment ordered during the year was as follows, the figures for the previous year being given for comparative purposes : 1945-46. 1946-47. £ £ For Post and Telegraph Department — From suppliers in New Zealand .. .. 483,744 784,340 Ordered for supply from overseas .. .. 936,294 1,643,645 For other Departments — From suppliers in New Zealand .. .. 164,883 224,658 Ordered for supply from overseas .. .. 42,583 48,652 The above amounts represent actual or estimated costs, plus freight, Customs duty, and sales tax, where applicable.

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