A G.P.O. FAREWELL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1739, 2 May 1913, Page 6

A G.P.O. FAREWELL.

. MI?. DONALD ROBERTSON. FROM THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ST A PP. "AN EXAMPLE TO ALL." A probably unique honour was conferred yesterday afternoon on Mr. Donald Robertson, formerly secretary of (he Post and Telegraph Department, and now Chief Public Service Commissioner, when in the presence of nearly the whole of the stall' of tho General and Wellington Post Offices, he was tho recipient oi a presentation to which every member in the Post and Telegraph service in New Zealand contributed. This took tho form .)( a handsomely-bound morocco leather album, containing tho signatures of every ofiieer ill the service, and another album containing strikingly good portraits of a number of officers with wliom as secretary ho had been more immediately connected. Tho gathering took place in the largo room on tho third iloor of tho General Post Office.

The secretary (Mr. W. R. Morris), who presided, said:—"We have mot hero today for tho purpose of conveying to Mr. Robertson mementoes of his long career in the Post 'ind Telegraph Department. Mr. Rhodes has kindly consented to mako the presentation, so that I will not trespass on the remarks ho may make. The severance of old ties is always a painful matter; but it is more particularly so in this case, becauso Mr. Robertson so identified himself with the interests of the stall. Ho endeavoured to improve their condition on every possiblo occasion, and I think that the result must bo satisfactory to all. Apart from that, Mr. Robertson has taken a life-long interest in tho material welfaro of the service generally. Naturally, wo feci great regret at losing an officer of that class; but the Department's luss is a gain to the Civil Servico as a whole.' X am quito certain that Mr. Robertson will always take a most kindly interest in tho Department and its officers; and I think that his decisions will always do full justice to this Department."

In making tlio presentation, tho Hon. Mr. Rhodes said:—lt seems unnecessary for 1110 to touch on Mr. Robertson's past career; but his riso from the position of cadet to that of permanent head of tho Department is one of interest, and I havo noted it down. Mr. Robertson, joined the Chief Post Offico at Duncdin as cadet on March 25, 1873, being then a lad of twelvo years. Eight years later ho was appointed postal agent on tho San Francisco mail steamer. In 1882 lie became money-order clerk at Wellington, and in 1 1884 was transferred to tho Auckland office. He was selected in 1892 to be Clrof Clerk of tlio General Post Office. In 190G, on tho death of Mr. Thomas Rose, Mr. Robertson succeeded him as Assist-ant-Secretary and Inspector, and in the following year, on tho demise of Mr. William Gray, he became Secretary—a position which he filled until his appointment as Public Service Commissioner. Mr. Robertson can look back upon «, career of forty years, a career which ho has filled in a zealous, upright, and dented way. Hj» has set an example to all. In June last his Majesty the King was pleased to confer oil him the Imperial Service Order, an honour which he deserved; and upon which ho was congratulated by all officers of tho Department and by tho public. During his term of office Mr. Robertson earned the goodwill of the public. ' He endeavoured to anticipate all public requirements, and ho succeeded well. He lias also had your interests at heart. Under liim your position lias benefited. He lias improved your conditions and improved your salaries, especially thoso of the juniors. It is naturally tho public that has watched Mr. Robertson,- .because the public is always demanding reforms; and wo members of tho House afo able to apprcciato those reforms :bctlcr perhaps than tho public, because on behalf of our constituents. we are. always .urging some concession, somo reform. As a private member I know Mr. Robertson; and I fonnd him always courteous, obliging, and ready to supply me with information. I could not have hoped for greater assistance from any man than I received from your chief. I know that tho public will ap. preciato what you are doing for Mr. Robertson to-day. Yon aro giving him an album containing your signatures, a gift which I am sure lie. will value moro than plate or anything else of moro intrinsic value. It is a gift which I know I would appreciate wero I in Mr. Robertson's place.

Mr. Herries th-on made tho presentation to Mr. liobertfon, wishing him, on behalf of all assembled' in the room, <i happy and prosperous career in his new office.

In replying, Mr. Robertson expressed his thanks and added: "There is nothing that I can conceive that could ho mora interesting, and which will he of moro value to mo in after life than the sisnatures of the offices with whom I u;orked_ for so many years. Most of you I think probably were not born when'l entered the service; and this makes nic feci a little old. Mr. Rhodes has mentioned so many things just now that I feel inclined to look back. As a general rule I never look back; I look to to-morrow in the busy life that I have led for some time. But whatever I have managed to do lias been done only by the cordial co- 1 operation of those around me, and indeed I may say of every member of tlio staff throughout the country. In n Department like the Post Office or ill any largo Department it is quito -impossible to make a success unless officers aro loyal not only to those immediately above them but to one another. I cannot of course say mucli about my. duties as Commissioner or what tho Commissioners aro going to do; but, speaking for my colleagues and myself, all officers may bo assured that each and every one will bo treated with tho most absolute justice, and that 110 opportunity will be lost of giving all reasonable improvement to tho position of officers consistent of course u-ith tho work they do and their ability. When I left the l'ost and Telegraph Department four months ago I did so with very mixed feelings indeed; and seeing you all here carries me Iwek t» that time. I would not have left the Department had I not known that my succostior be a man who would look after the staff a good deal better than I was ever able to do. In Mr. Morris you have one of tlie best friends that the Post and Telegraph staff ever had. I again express mv very heartiest thanks for tho very generous words that have been, said and for the handsome albums. The one with tho signatures will bo of interest to. me all my life, and tho one with tho photographs of the officers who were mere'immediately around 1110 will be a cherished possession. I have once more to thank you and to wish you all happiness and prosperity."