Postmaster-General’s Letter.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1922, Page 1

Postmaster-General’s Letter.

TO P. AND T. OFFICIALS

[BY TETiEQIt APH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION J

WELLINGTON, April 7

The following letter has been forwarded by the Hon. Mr Coates (Post-master-General) to Mr Combs (secre tary of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association): —“As the recent ballot taken by the New Zealand post and Telegraph Officers’ Association decided in favour hf linking up with tlie Alliance 1 Labour, and as it has been stated in the Press that you propoe to take steps forthwith to join up with that body, I beg to inform you that the Government views such a step wiL serious disfavour, and as one which it is not prepared to countenance under any consideration. Obviously the association, whose members are officers of the State pledged to serve the whole public, cannot be allowed to be alliiedj with an outside organisation, and such alliance must prove a grave danger to the State, as the officers would be placed in the position of obeying either the authority of the Government or that of the Alliance. The interests of the public require that the service should be free from interference by an outside body, subject to the control only of the State it serves. The question is, therefore, a matter for serious consideration by the individual members of the service. Each and every officer should realise that the efficiency of the departmm. and probably his own personal welfare, depend upon the next step being taken in the right direction. It must be clearly understood that the Government cannot agree to any officer of the Post and Telegraph Department endeavouring to serve the Government and at the same time the Alliance of Labour. The members of the association should be notified to this effect, and the result communicated to me at the earliest possible date. A copy of this memorandum is being sent to the Press, and to the controlling officer of the department for the information of the staff as a whole.”