POSTAL MEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1924, Page 1

POSTAL MEN.

BY TELEGRArn PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGItf

WELLINGTON, April 9

A deputation from the executive of the Post and Telegraph Officer,Y Association now sitting in. AAcllington. waited upon the Postmaster-General, Hon. ,T, G. Coates, with regard to the new classification which is shortly to he introduced.

Mr E. C. Collins (.[ resident 01 toe |> and T. Association), said that the loason for the interview was a very important one—to discuss with the Minister the economic conditions of the menil:ers of the P. and T. Service. The previous day they had waited upon the Secretary and made a request for the new salary schedules to he placed in their hands so that they could consider them, hut , the Secretary had informed them that was a matter for the Minister to deal with. He was not going to traverse the ground already covered with reference to the position as to the cost of living. He would content himself with briefly saving that approximately all members of their service were in the same position to-day as to the cost the Government granted the £lO bonus to meet the increased cost of living, which the Minister would remember they then considered to he inadequate. The Service now desired the Government to bring in a salary schedule which would bring hade the purchasing power of the salaries of the officers to the 1914 standard. The Minister: 1914 or 1920 P

Mr Collins: 1911. IVo considered of course, that the 1920 bonus was inadequate to meet the increased <ost of living then. When the £SO bonus was granted, the All Groups figure was 05 per cent, above pre-war, and to-day ii is 00 per cent, above. That is the position we wish you to meet. Do justice to the members of the Service, likewise your service, and. before we proceed further 1 would like to know in a very definite manner, what is the intention of yourself in this matter.” The Minister: “I am here to listen to your case.” M> Collins: “Arc you prepared to place the Government’s and the-Depart-ment's proposals in our bands for considei’iition at this juncture?” The Minister replied that the mail was before the Cabinet.

A lengthy amicable discussion followed at the conclusion of which the Minister said the schedules would be placed before the excutive in a few days. It would be liable to amendment even, after being considered by the Cabinet.