THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2128, 21 April 1914, Page 10

THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Wellington'section of the'tublic Service Assodiation was held in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, last, evening. . The president (Mr. J., W. Macdonald) was in the chair, and there was an attendance of some fifty members. The annual report urged members to keep up the interest m the "Journal," which had been launched on a satisfactory finanoial basis. Tbe report added: "The fallowing i arc.,a i jew.,.of; ■the more important' general matters taken up by the executive of the representation of the Wellington section: 1. Cumulative leave: 2. Civic right to public servants. 3. Revision of travelung expenses in connection with sleeping berths. 4. A minimum salary of £156- per annum for marrjed employees, or widow with children. 6. Establishment of an expert division. 7. Excursion rates for Pubfes Servants on the railways -when on annual leave. 8. Compulsory retirement of officers with forty years' service provided the>? are sixty years of age or over. 9. Discontinuance of. deduction of amounts from salaries to make up defalcations. 10. Representation of general division on Appeal Bosrd. 11. The general service V(exclusive of the Post and Telegraph Department) to be given a prior claim to any vacancy therein." The balance-sheet showed a credit of £6 10s'.. 6d., and an excess of assets over liabilities of £16 10s. lid.

Mr: Macdonald, in moving the adoptionof. the report, said that they hoped that the Wellington membership of tho association would, soon reach 2000. During the year, the scope of the associa-tion'.-liad been Widened, and tho future looked' bright.. Qne of the features of the year's work .ivas the establishment of a,fund for legal representation of members before- the Appeal Board. The Public Service Commission had viewed with sympathy the proposal to strike a' minimum' wage for married menin the Service. (Applause.) The matter of Civil Servants being granted excursion rates on tho rail trays during their annual leave seemed as far off determination as "ever, but the association did not inteud to drop it. During the year the association had taken, urj i number of special cases of officers with and grievances, and in the majority of cases had obtained rcI dress'; slr. jMacdonald referred to the organisations amongst other branches cf the service—the teachers and the railways particularly. .-."The services seem to be alive," he said, "and their organisations are most active in the furtherance of their rights." (Applause.) Mr. W. Jl. Wright seconded the adoption of the report. He found fault with, the small attendance-at the meeting, and expressed the fear that the association would die of apathy unless it- had critics'amongst its own members. ■ Tho report was'adoptcd unanimously.

The election of a committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows:— Messrs. J. W. A. Heonan (Internal Affairs), W. Hutchings (Government Printing. Office.), ■L. A. Teutenberg (Native), G. 11. A. Tanner (Marino), J. F. Eobieson (Tourist), D. Hannan

(Defence), E. H. Fisbor (Valuation), H. W. Dear (Mental Hospitals), G. C. Borlda (Treasury), B. Hibbard (Land and Income Tax), W. G. Hardy (Lands and Survey),. A. Hore (Audit), W. Auld (State Advances), T. Wallace (Public Works), J. H. Chapman (Customs), W. W. Cook (Registrar-Gener-al's). W. B. Hicks (Mental Hospitals), P. A. C. Pirani (Health), W. M. "Wrisrlit (Superannuation), J. W. Macdonald (Government Insurance and Public Trust), E. Cliing (Prisons), C. I?. C. TCobieson (State Firo), J. G. Ma'cPherson (Machinery Insppction), J. J. L. Burke (Lands and Deeds), J. H. lievnolds (Pensions), V>. T. Bailey (Labour). S. L. Scarell (Public Works)/ T. H. Sherwood (Mines). V. W. Millar (Education), A. M: Adams (Immigration)',. T. W. Kirk (Aericultiiro), E. L. Enlir-rlsnn (IntcTiial Affairs), Mr. F. W. Jfillar is secretary, and Mr. G. L. Searell assistant-secrotary of the association. The committee will elect a chairman at its first meeting.