P. & T. DEPARTMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1931, Page 1

P. & T. DEPARTMENT

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN business. WELLINGTON, August 6

An improvement equal to two per cent, in the general business of the Post and Telegraph. Department for the last three months was announced by the secretary, Mr G. Maenamara, this evening. Looking at the figuies he saw a little- shadow of hope, hut it was so thin that it could hardly be called even a shadow-. The Department, lie said, was having the fight of it s life and there w.as nothing to indicate to the .staff anything that was promising in the slightest way. “This question of progress is a pretty sore subject in the department at the present time,” Mr M’N.amara said, in addressing the employees, at thenannual smoke concert. “Things aie not going so well that we can can y a smile on our faces all the tirtfe, but we are carrying on. Last year was one of the most difficult years in the history of the department. In April, 1930, 'we had 10,000 employees, and a year later we were just about the 9000 mark. It seems to us that of late we have become the odd department of the State. When the .Legislature decide to do something they say, “Chuck it on to the P. and T. Department.” We are proud of thenconfidence. Last year the Unemployment Act came into- force and it has been- a. bit of a God-send to the Post and Telegraph Department, because we have a few hundred men engaged on clerical work. It has enabled us to carry on and return a certain number of men who otherwise would he out of work. It is very important that we should! retain trained men because without them we could not go on the market when good times come again. , “In addition to the ten per cent. cut. the rank and file have made another sacrifice, not generally known,” Mr M’Namara. continued. “We had to cut out payment in cash for overtime. That means a heavy loss to the men on the bread and butter line. There is a .silver lining somewhere, hut at the present time the department is making the fight of its life for you and for the public. Tt will carry on and do its very best. I am getting every assistance to reduce actual working costs.