POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1925, Page 4

POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS.

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, August 3. The biennial eoulerenee to the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association opened to-day. Mr C. E. Collins presiding. In a review of the chiot operations (hiring the last two years, the seeiclarv (Mr Combs) pointed out that the organisation s efforts to have the standard remuneration restored to the basis of 1922 had failed. One outstanding matter was the revaluation or the work of officers, hut only minor benefits were obtained. '.lhe grades above the rank and file were much more generously treated. I here was no doubt that the spending p’-ower of salaries in the service was far short of the 1914 standard. One of the most unfortunate results of the new classification policy was the decision of the Department to limit the salary prospects of women oiticerM. I U\aa r(li n g cijin p 11 1 so ry r-e 1i re incut., the Department had made splendid advances towards the goal, for outside three notable exceptions all the iortyyear service men had now been retired. A consequence had been a distinct improvement in promotion prospects. There had been a gain of 150 members during the year.

Kefe renco was made to the embargo placed by the Government against

ifliliatii.il with the Alliance of Labour. “'As matters now stand the association lias authority to affiliate so soon as the Government embargo is lifted, am!, as there is a very important individual constitutional right involved. it is important that no member will so much as consider receding from the stand taken in 1922 until the right i-. conceded in its entirety.' Mr A. T. .Marl.man. secretary of the I’osl and Telegraph Department, in the course ol an address, said lie would venture to express the opinion that during the present financial year the revenue obtained from postages i under the penny post system would be equal to the amount for the previous year at a penny half-penny. That was an indication of the increased business. If they all did their hit he could see there would he a net profit after paving interest on capital <ost. and then it would he his duty to do his best to see that the conditions for the staff were improved. When lie said conditions. he thought they would agree that their conditions were very good. As to salary, the question which the officers naturally felt most of all. that was a matter for the Government to consider in conjunction with the pay of other departments of State and with the wages paid outside. He hoped there would he a ray of light scon, and an opportunity for making some improvement in that direction. Sir James l’arr. who recently was appointed Postmaster-General, delivered an address to-day to delegates attending the conference. He said lie expected candid openness and plain dealing frem the organisation. In that event they always could rely upon receiving openmindedness and candour from him. They would have from him a plain “Yes" or “No" in answer to any request made. After six years' experience as a Minister of the Grown he had come to the conclusion that it

was absolutely necessary that tliero should ho a strong organisation representing the views of members of the service, and that the [Minister should deal with such a body. Such a body "as necessary for another purpose, namely, to help the Minister and the Department. He confessed he was rather surprised to notice the youthful appearance of members of the conference. “Have you no middleaged or elderly delegates?" asked the Minister amidst laughter.

Mr Markman. Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department : They arc all getting such early promotion. (Laughter.) Sir James Parr emphasised the great importance of the Post and Tulgraph service and noticed with approval that the association favoured very much premotion by merit. Of course. till tilings being equal, the senior man should have promotion. He was very strongly of opinion that merit after all should he the main factor in making appointments and promotion.