P. AND T. PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1929, Page 1

P. AND T. PROTEST

AGAINST SALARY READJUST- ' MENT. (By TclegrapD—Per Press Association.) MASTERTON, .October 24. At a largely-attended meeting ot the Wa'irarapa P. and T. Employee’s Association to-night, the following resolution was carried unanimously:—

“That the Wairarapa Section of the P. and T. Employees’ Association enters a ‘strong protest against the Government’s decision not to increase the salaries of the Post and Telegraph Officers, either by way of the restoration of the salary cuts, or by the revision of the salary schedule, and urges that the matter be brought up on the floor of the House for consideration. In the opinion of this section, the only method of arriving at an, equitable adjustment is to take the salaries paid in 1914 and add to them a proportional increase due to the rise in the cost of living, based on the 'Government Statistician’s 'figures. This amount should at least be paid, for it is admitted by the Postmaster-General, in liis annual report, that the efficiency of the staff is now greater than previously.” The resolution goes on to give figures in illustration of the justice of the claim, stating that as to purchasing power, the present salaries compared with 1914 show that £295 is only equivalent to £lB4 7s 6d, and as such positions were worth £220 in 1914, they were worth £352 to-day in purchasing power. All the other divisions are similarly affected, and, although the officers are performing more work per unit to-day than previously, they are paid considerably less; The Pahiatua Sub-section lias also passed a resolution of protest.