RECLASSIFICATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 7, 3 October 1918, Page 6

RECLASSIFICATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

P. AND T. OFFICERS PROTEST AGAINST POSTPONEMENT'. B7 Tclcsraph—Presa Association Palmcrstcn North, October 2. The Manawatii setetion of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association, at a meeting to-day, passed tho following remit for the coni'erenco on October 28: — "That this representative meeting of P. and T. officers ask that tho Public Service Commissioners ho empowered to proceed at once with tho of the Service in accordance with tho Public Service Act, 1917, Part 2, and are resolved that the action of Parliament in breaking the Act by tho postponement of tho reclassiiication has also broken faith with tho officers of the Service, whereas ivo have been led to believe that an improvment in salary to meet the advanced cost of living was the principle of tho 'reckssifieation. Wo are bound by the Act, and adhere to it, and challenge the right of Parliament in its dying hours to deprive us of what we aro honourably entitled to. Further, that it be an instruction to our Executive Council to make urgent demands to Parliament that this matter- be placed before the House early in the session. The Government Statistician's official figures show the spending power of. the sovereign at 12s. Cd-, an increase in cost of living of about 36 per cent. We therefore ask that at least a 20 per cent, increase of salaries be granted to officers drawing' less than £400. The money to meet this proposal could be taken from tlio increased revenue which the Government have received from the '30 per cent, increaso on postal rates and S3 per cent, on ordinary telegrams, which is being collected free of cost to the State. We Cifil Servants-are the only incorporated, body of workers who 'have, not received an increaso of salary during the , war. The war bonus_ of £15 to married officers, irrespective of whether they have children pr not, and £7 10b. to 'single officers, is not in keeping with the times. The bonus distribution should be paid according to dependants, so that officers with large families (which.are an nssct to the State) receive more consideration than officers without."