THE ALLIANCE OF LABOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2417, 13 April 1922, Page 2

THE ALLIANCE OF LABOUR.

p. & T. ASSOCIATION NOT ALLOWED TO JOIN. Wellington, April 12. A deputation of well over 100, representing the Welfare League, Chambers of Commerce, professional and business interests, waited on the Premier and Postmaster-General to-day with reference to the decision of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association to join the Alliance of

Mr Matthew Carr, the leading spokesman, said that when they read the result of the ballot they were greatly concerned, and felt they must voice a protest. Ihey viewed the decision of the Government to refuse to permit the affiliation with satisfaction. They were strongly opposed to a body like the post and telegraph brain workers, with appeal boards, superannuation and all the privileges of a State service, being allowed to ally themselves with those who preached, not i.ulv direct action against their own immediate employers, but also against the whole community. He snfjgesteil that there was some underlying reason for the decision. It was a case of “Under Which King?” —the Government or the Alliance of Labour —there could be no intermediate. The position could not be tolerated. If a clash came they would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government in the fight. Air J. T. Martin, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that if propaganda from such a body as the Alliance of Labour was to he infused in the Post and Telegraph Department it would tend to undermine all loyalty and secrecy. He urged the Government to absolutely decline to deal with the Alliance of Labour in any matters alt'eeting the Post and Telegraph service, and if the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association became part of the Alliance, to refuse recognition of the Association.

Mr Massey, in his reply, said that a very large proportion of the Post and Telegraph service were thoroughly reliable and trustworthy officers, and eorrerspondence was perfectly safe in their hands, hut the proposed action had aroused suspicion that in the event of industrial ' trouble correspondence would not be safe. The Government wanted a satisfactory public service, and recognised that it could not get that unless it had a satisfied public service. They could not have two Governmenls in one country, and any attempt to bring that about would cause serious trouble. “I assure you,” he said, “that the Government will on no account consent to / the affiliation of the Post and Tele-"!

graph Officers’ Association with the Alliance of Labour. 'We are not going to allow this thing to drift.” Tie referred to the Post and Telegraph Association’s reply to Mr f'oates, saying that the Minister’s iettcr would lie published in the Katipo and he duly placed before members for discussion. No date was given. That, Mr Massey said, was not a proper reply to the Government . The Government should have been told definitely and clearly when the letter would he placed before members, and when the Government would receive a reply. “It appears to me,” he said, “an attempt to (lout the Government. Very well; we don’t stand for that sort of thing.” lie thought the Post and Telegraph officers should have an opportunity of taking another ballot to reverse the decision.. He concluded: “I have a pretty good idea.of what the next move will be, hut I do not want to discuss that now. T will sav this: The Government will not on any account whatever put up with the Post and Telegraph service joining the Alliance of Labour.”