P. AND T. SALARIES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 46, 17 November 1937, Page 9

P. AND T. SALARIES

-Press Association.)

Service Has "Not Had a Square Deal" MINISTER'S COMMENT

(By Teleeraph-

"WELLINGTON, Last Night. The biennial conference of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Employees ' Association was officially opened by the Minister of Mines, Eon. P. C. Webb, at Wellington this morning. Mr. G. McNamara, Director-General of the Department, also attended. The conference was presided over by Mr. H. W. Parnell, of Auckland. There are 28 delegates from all parts of the Dominion. Mr. Webb said he was not in a position to give the conference any information regarding the re-classification of the public service. The Government had been giving the matter attention for some time, and he understood a statement would be made shortly. He realised members of tlie Post and Telegraph service had not always had a square deal regarding salaries, notwithstanding that no department in the Dominion was better 'organised or more efficient. He had recently had an opportunity of making a comparison between the Australian and New Zealand services and was satisfied the New Zealand standard of service was not excellcd anywhere. Mr. Webb complimented members of the service on their loyal co-operation with the Government in carrying out the duties associated with the department and paid a high tribute to their business ability. Mr. McNamara said he was pleased Mr. Webb had said the Post and Telegraph Department was a most efficient State service. .This, he thought, a confirmation of public opinion. ,The Minister had said the New Zealand service was better than the Australian. He could say from personal observations it was not inferior to similar services in other countries. Notwithstanding its general efficiency and the fact that it was a complicated service, consisting of 15 departments, its officers were the poorest paid in tho employ of the State. He had repeatedly protested to previous Governments in this connection, but he had been unable to obtain satisfaction. He hoped the Government would now give authority to pay salaries in accordance with the value of the. work performed. The business handled by the department was increasing rapidly. Last year there was a 15 per cent. increase and this year an additional 14 per cent. This abnormal increase was severely taxing the Tesources of the department. The department 's revenue this year ; would probably amount to £4,000,000, which would be a record. The conference will .continue tomorrow. . ---w- '"X