P. & T. CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1920, Page 3

P. & T. CONFERENCE

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day

Replying to a deputation from the P. and T. Conference yesterday, Hon W .F, Massey announced that Go. vornment proposed to deal with the question of public service salaries in a comprehensive way and he would endeavour to get the scheme settled before the House met. Tt was not only the railway people we have to provide for, sad Mr Massey, we have to provide foh the Post and Telegraph service, for the police, and for school teacher's, and Government propose to ask certain officers of the Public Service, men of experience and ability, such as the Public Service Commissioner, the head of the Postal Department, the head of the Railway Department, and the head of the Treasury to assist Government in drawing up what I believe to be a satisfactory scale of payments. M r e liave no intention of keeping the postal department out in any way or dealing with them unfairly compared with other branches of the public service. I wish to make it clear that'every Department will be considered, hut I believe, what we do with the Railway Department cannot be applied to the Postal Depart, ment, because the conditions and duties are not the same. Our aim is to have the salaries of the Public Service settled, and settled for some time to come. This will mean an increased burden to the taxpayers. There is no doubt I hope to be able to get the money. So far as the Railway Department is concerned. I am going to get the money by putting up fares, and freights and so far as the'postal service is concerned, I am going to put up the rates. ‘ It is only fair that the people using these services should pay.

ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS. AVELLINGTON, June 14

The Wellington section mot to-night to receive a report of the delegates concerning the deputation to Mr Massey and Mr Coates. The Chairman said Mr Massey had practically promised what had been asked for. He read a telegram sent out. It was resolved: “That this meeting is perfectly satisfied with the attitude of the Conference and congratulates them on the present position. The seconder of the motion said that lie was afraid that Mr Massey would attempt to “side-step” them again. The Chairman replied that that would not he so, because Mr Massey had declared that he would give a reply to the Association’s demands before Parliament met.

DT7NEDJN, -Tunc 14. At a large and representative meeting of tlip branch of tile Post and Telegraph' Officers’ Association last night, the following resolutions were unanimously carried:—(l) That this meeting give tho Conference their unconditional support in any action they desirp .and take, and recommend that in the event of an unsatisfactory decision being received from the Prime Minister in reference to the salary dispute, pressure be brought to hear on the Government to grant tho immediate setting up of a special tribunal as outlined by the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, 1913, to consider and agree upon a settlement; (2) that this section advise the conference that a bonus in anj shape is unacceptable, and we demand that any further increase that may be granted be on a salary basis: (3) that the Conference ho urged to remain ir session until finality in the present ne gotiations with the Government is read ed.” ' CHRISTCHURCH, June 14. A meeting of about 300 members o the North Canterbury section of th P. and T. Officers’ Association was heh to-night. Tlie original purpose of th meeting was to discuss Mr proposal .to grant a bonus instead o the increase in salary asked for by, the Association, and to discuss the best means of obtaining the increase desired. When the members of the section assembled, tho section Secretary read a telegram from the General Secretary of the Association, Wellington. stating that Mr Massey had definitely committed the, Government in the presence of the full P .and T. Conference to a pro rata increase ill salaries or wages m , sympathy with the ascertained cost of living increase. A motion that the hearty thanks ot the section be conveyed to the Conference for their work on behalf of the P. and T. Officers was carried, and the meeting was brought to a. close without i further discussion. X