THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2919, 3 November 1916, Page 8

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

A DISPUTE SETTLED.' Some months ago the New Zealand: Public Service Association, through; their solicitor, Mr. M. Myers, maciei application to the Supreme Court by' originating, summons, with a view to obtaining an interpretation of some 28 points arising out of the administration of the Public Service Act. After the summons had been filed the Minister of Interna!, Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell), in whose Department the Public Service Commissioners are placed, called a conference representing the Commissioners, tho Public Service Association, and the Post Office Association, at whicli tho various points' which were the subject of the originating summons were discussed. The Minister indicated to the conference that tho Government would not bo prepared to allow the summons to be proceeded -with, and suggested that Further conferences should he held to discuss in detail the matters in dispute between the Publift Service and the Commissioners. Several meetings have accordingly heen held, and yesterday the Minister of Internal Affairs received a letter from Mr. Georgo Allport (president of the Public Service Association), in which ho stated that after conferences with the> Publio Service Commissioners, all the matters' at issue, except ono, had been settled, and steps were being taken _to withdraw the summons. The point which' is still unsettled is one brought up by the officers of tho Postal Department. The Commissioners are arraiiiCin» to receive a deputation from the officers of tho Department to discuss it with them, and Mr. Allport exprosses tho hope that the discussion will re-, suit in a settlement bring arrived at. The Minister has replied to the president of the Public Service Association expressing satisfaction regarding the settlement' of the matter in dispute, and also the hope that on any future occasion the same method will he adopt-' e<i of dealing -with such issues, rather than appealing to the law courts. .