POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 2

POLITICAL POINTS

P. AND T. SALARIES EFFECTS OF THE TWO CUTS {Prom Our Parliamentary Repokteb) WELLINGTON,. September 1(3. The question of giving relief to those officers of the Post and Telegraph Department who suffered reduction in salary when cuts were made some years ago is to bo brought under tho Prime Minister’s notice by the PostmasterGeneral, according to an undertaking given in the House to-day by Mr Noswortliy. Sir Joseph Ward set the ball rolling when he pointed out that these officers had been unable to get any further forward owing to the effect of the two cuts on those at tho top of certain classes. A. number of speakers supported Sir Joseph Ward. It was pointed out that Sir James Parr, when Postmaster-Gen-eral, had virtually promised these officers that if they made a request lor an increase when the trading account of tho department showed a profit thoir representations would be considered. The Minister had recently had. an enormous increase in returns, yet there was no indication that the promise would be kept. Mr Harris (Waitemata) said he had been struck by the moderation of the requests advanced 'by the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association. It had stressed the claims of the officers who had been reduced from £320 to £295 and from £258 to £240. “I do feel that these men at the top of their grades have suffered a great amount of hardship, and if the increase could be given much would be done towards the smoother working of tho department,” he said. Replying, Mr Nosworthy said a deputation that waited on the Ministers had asked for a reinstatement of the cut. Since the files had been searched, and he had personally looked through the records, but could find no trace of any promise made by Sir James Parr in connection with the. matter. Before he could do anything in the matter he wanted to see how tho department stood financially. Ho would have to go carefully into the commercial bal-ance-sheet of tho department. “ 1 have promised to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister.” he said. “ and 1 will keep that promise. 1 will discuss it with him to see if anything can be done to meet the representations made by bon. members on behalf of the officers concerned.” ' * * * * RADIO LOAN AGAIN. “Tho bad boy of .tho family” was the description applied to the Post-master-General by Mr Fraser (Wellington Central), when Mr Nosworthy was once more under fire on the subject of the Government’s loan of £.15,000 to the Radio Broadcasting Company. This question, which has already been debated at great length, was raised when the House was in committee on the post and telegraphs vote of £2,393.627. and Dir Lee (Auckland East) moved that the amount be reduced by £15.000 so that members might indicate approval or disapproval of tho Government's action in making such a gilt to the company. Sir Joseph Ward, who followed several Labor speakers, took a new line ol argument when ho said a precedent had been established by in ruing the Post and Telegraph Department into a lending institution. He considered a great mistake had been wade. When tho amendment went to a division it was lost by 45 to 21, all save the Government members voting for tlie reduction. “ This vote is extremely valuable, Mr Fraser declared, “ because it shows that tire Government members are prepared to vote for what was at .the best a very questionable transaction. 1 believe the Minister is not so sanguine about it as lie makes out. .What I would like to know is: How did it Jal.l to Him to be responsible for this loan? It is a singular matter that every legislative action, to which exception has been taken this session has fallen to the unhappy lot of the Postmaster-General, who is also the Minister of External Affairs. 1 incline to the belief that ho is not so much the guilty one as the victim of the Cabinet. He seems to he the ‘had boy of the family.’ When he is attacked his colleagues simply loan back and enjoy it. I’m sure he has been the scapegoat. Tho trouble is that now he has been given this vote he mmht have lost his head and begun distributing loans of £15,000 all round the countryside on first, second, and third mortgages.” (Laughter.) * * * * A BURGLARY SEQUEL. William Thomas Easton, who in a petition alleged that ho had suffered loss through the slackness oi the police in following up tho perpetrator of a burglary at his bouse in Dunedin., has received an inilavorahlc report Irom (he Public Petitions. Coimniltoo on Jus claim for compensation. * * * * SOUNDS TOURIST ACCOMMODATION. The Minister in charge of tho Tourist Department (Mr Nosworthy) informed the House during the discussion on tho Tourist Estimates that a hostel is to he built at Milford Sound le accommodate lilty or sixty tourists Tenders will be called by (he Works Department’ next month, and while ho hoped to sec the work pushed on he could not see any hone of the building being finished in time for tho Christmas holidays. Temporary accommodation was being provided at Sandfly Point this season until this accommodation could be put in order. He bad had difficulty in getting money . ior tourist buildings, but ho had sufficient to go on with the building this year.