P. & T. OFFICERS' ASSN

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1924, Page 3

P. & T. OFFICERS' ASSN

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. A SINISTER ST AT EXTENT. [liY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 15. Mr C. E. Collins (Presalenl), .Mr J. M. .Mac Kay (Wee-President), .Mr 11. E. Comic. (Secretary), Mr W. T. Trauc and Mr J. 11. McKenzie, representing the Post and Telegraph Officers Association waited upon, the Postmas-ter-General this morning and asked for a copy of the classification schedules. Collins stated that the object in asking foe the classification list was to open up negotiations on the salary question. Me caul mat at the previous interview the Minister bud led the A--sociuti m to believe that they were to receive the classification list towards the latter part of last week. I hat information had been sent to members ol the service and they like the executive had been keenly disappointed that Government had not seen lit to produce the schedules. 1

The Postmaster-General iu reply said as the pi cviniis interview lie stated he would do his very best to see if they could get the schedules before Cabinet this w—iv. lie also stated at the previous interview that the schedules had been referred to tTie Public Service Commissioner and other Departments interested to see what effect, it would have on other departments. The Commissioner had not returned lington until late on Saturday night and the schedules had not come hack to Cabinet. Cabinet would meet a little biter in the forenoon and as soon as Cabinet had dealt with the lists the.- would ho made available, as promised, to the Association. Mr Collins said the representatives of the Association were not piepnred to stav iu Wellington any longer, and accept indefinite answers to their requests. They would refer the matter hack to the executive, and the executive would not doubt place the matter in the hands of the Service as to what action should be taken.

p. AND T. SITUATION. STATEMENT BY SECRETARY. WELLINGTON. April 15. There is no change in the attitude ol the Post, and Telegraph Officers’ Association save that a meeting of the Executive Cotincil is considered necessary, unless tlu Minister soon replies to the Association’s last communication. .Mr Combs, Secretary to the Association, states a telegram has been sent to the Postmaster-General stating the Association is most disappointed at not receiving the salary schedule as promised last week. The telegram says:—“The Executive feels thai our salary schedule and appointments, as promised by you aio being made dejxmdent on the railway negotiations and not on the merits ot the salary position of the P. and 1. staff. In view of the rapid development ci the general situation that unless a reply, as promised by you, m received by to-morrow the Committee feels it imperative to convene the Executive Council.”

MR HOLLAND’S MESSAGE. -WESTPORT, April 15. This morning, Mr H. E. Holland, M.P. Leader of the Labour Party, telegraphed to the Prime Minister and Postmaster-General: —*‘In order that the critical situation in respect to the postal service might not be accentuated, I strongly urge that Government open negotiations with Post and leleorapli Officers Association, on the salary question at the earliest possible moment. I am confident such negotiations would make for averting a threatened crisis. THE LEGAL POSITION. MAINTENANCE OP PUBLIC SERVICE. The rumours of a strike led to a god deal of discussion upon the law regarding the matter. It is stated that workers not governed bv an award can strike at any time, but certain conditions are laid down debarring workers in services affecting public convenience from striking without stipulated notice. Section 9, sub-section 1 of the In-

dustrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act of 1908 provides:— ‘lf any person employed in any .of the industries to which this section applies strikes without having given notice to his employer, within one month before striking, not less than 14 days’ notice in writing, signed by him, of his intention to strike, or strikes, before the expiry of any notice so given by him, the striker shall he liable on summary conviction by a magistrate to a fine not exceeding £25.”

Sub-section 2 fixes a penalty o: £SOO for any employer found guilty o: a lock-out.

Sub-section 3 enumerates the industries to which section 9 applies as follows:—(a) The manufacture or supply of coal gas; (h) The production or supply of electricity for light or power; (<•) The supply of water to the inhabitants of any borough or public place ; (d) The supply of milk for domestic consumption; (e) The slaughtering or supply of meat for. domestic consumption; (f) The sale or delivery of coal, whether for domestic or industrial purposes; (g) The working of any ferry, tramway, or railway used for the public carriage of goods or passengers.

Section 4 provides that every person who incites, instigates or assists any person who has struck or locked out in breach of this section to continue to be a party to the strike or lock-out shall he liable, on summary conviction before a magistrate, to a fine not exceeding in the case of n ■worker C 25, or in the case of an industrial union, employer, or any person other than a worker. £SOO.