POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 149, 19 March 1920, Page 7

POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS

DEMAND FOR INCREASED PAT.

At a meeting Inst night of the Wc] ineton section of tho Post and Telegrap] jfficers' Association the following resolu ions wero carried:—

"This meeting of 'Wellington post and telegraph officials directs tho Executive Committee of the association to place before the Postmaster-General and the Government the need to at once review the salaries and waxes alloted to the mnioritvof the staff of the Department, ns it is'impossibje to provide a reasonable standard of living at prices at present ruline, much less to do so nt prices t'l" 1 / * rfi forecasted in the daily papers, 1.. feels that tho war having been fought and won in order to make tho world safe'for democracy; it is the Government s bounden duty to make the conditions of lifo in New Zealand such that the maiority can say that they are enlovins the. fruits of the victory they helped to secure. It should not'be left to individuals, whose sole object is the profits they can make, to decide whatthe people shall pay for food, clothing, and housing. Pending Government acceptance of this responsibility, the executive is directed to press for further increases hi salaries and wages to place all officers in the same position a 9 regards tho purchasing power of their incomes as obtained in MM. The basic wage for all male adult workers (whether on the permanent or temporary staff) should, therefore, bo raised to at least £1 per dav. and proportionate salaries allotted as a iust recognition of advanced skill, lonser experience, and higher duties and responsibilities."

"That, the executive of the association bo called upon to immediately place the fore?oiti? resolution, together with the resolutions passed • nt other' centres, before, the. Governmnt for consideration and action and the eommitteo seek an interview with the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-General on behalf of the general service in order that the. pressing necessities of officers may bo fully understood bv the Government."

"In Addition to thq increases of (Salaries indicated it is essentials in view of the abnormal and unprecedented increases in the price.? of the necessities of life, that a special bonus be paid until prices recede to normal levels, and that the qavment should extend to every officer ifi the service irrespective of snlar.v." "That/this meeting of P. and T. officers demands the payment of llm war bonus as ' promised by Sir Joseph Ward."