RECENT POSTAL BALLOT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2415, 8 April 1922, Page 2

RECENT POSTAL BALLOT.

PUBLIC SERVANTS CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS. Wellington, Last Night. The following letter has been forwarded by the Hon. J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General, to Mr Combs, Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association: —“As the recent ballot, taken by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ .Association decided in favour of linking up with the Alliance of Labour, and as it has been stated in the Press that you propose to take steps forthwith to join up with that body, 1 beg to inform you that the Government views such a step with serious disfavour, and as one which it is not prepared to countenance under any consideration. Obviously the Association, whose members are officers of the State, pledged to serve the whole public, cannot be allowed to be allied with tin outside organisation, and such an alliance must prove a grave danger to the State, as the officers would be placed in the position of obeying the authority of the Government or that of the Alliance. The interests of the public require that the service should he free from interference hv any outside body, and subject to the control only of the State if serves. The question is, therefore, a matter for serious consideration by individual members of l lie service. Each and every officer should realise that the efficiency of the Department, and probably his own personal welfare, depend upon the next step being taken in the right direction. It must be clearly understood that the .Government cannot agree to any officer of the Post and Telegraph Department endeavouring to serve the Government and at the same time ,tlic Alliance of Labour. Members of the Association should he notified to this effect, and the result communicMled l<> meal the earliest possible date. A copy of this memorandum L being sent to (lie Press, and to flic controlling officers of the Department, for the information of lbe >taff as a whole.”

Invercargill, April 7. A largely-attended meeting of the Southland Branch of the Post and Telegraph Association discussed the recent ballot, and resolved, with one dissentient, that the meeting assurer the Postmaster-General of its unswerving loyalty, and urges that every Government servant take the oath of allegiance to King and country. Wellington, Last Night. A largely attended meeting of the Conned of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce discussed the decision of the P. and T. Officers’ Association to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour. A very strong feeling was expressed by members of the Council, and the folio wing resolution was carried unanimously. “That this chamber deplores the action of i lie P. and T. Officers’ Association in joining the Alliance of Labour, and respectfully calls upon lhe Government to refuse to recognise such affiliation, also to make it illegal for any body in the Public Service to ally itself with any sectional or class organisation; further, that this chamber is prepared to support l ho Government in any action it may deem necessary to take in order to prevent the public service from being placed under Labour Union control.”

Gisborne, Last Night. The Gisborne Chamber of Commerce has sent the following telegram to the Premier: “The Gisborne Chamber of Commerce strongly urge> the Government to take a firm stand In refusing to recognise any Government Department affiliating with the Allianee of Labour, and to use every effort in preventing such |t, grave incongruity taking place, the principles of which are entirely subversive to the welfare of the community." -