P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2427, 11 May 1922, Page 2

P. AND T. ASSOCIATION

DECISION OF CONFERENCE

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Yesterday. Tile long-drawn-out conference ,of representatives of the Post and Telegraph. Officers’ Association came to a conclusion in Wellington to-day. At about 4.30 in the afternoon the delegates proceeded to Parliament Buildings and met the PostmasterGeneral (Hon. •). G. Coates). This meeting was not open to the Press, but afterwards Mr Coates made the following statement: “During the past week, delegates of the Post and Telegraph Association Have been in conference in. Wellington to discuss the Government’s intimation that affiliation with the Alliance of Labour would ndffibe permitted. Late this afternoon thd whole of the delegates met the Postmaster-General and informed him that it had been decided to postpone affiliation for the present.”

Mr Coates declined to comment on the decision of the men’s representatives.

Mr H. E. Combs, secretary of the P. and T. Association, informed a representative this evening that the conference concluded after passing the following resolution: —“Having had confirmed by the PostmasterGeneral the advice given by three independent legal authorities, showing that the Alliance of Labour is a lawful combination of organisations affiliated thereto, this conference of delegates cannot assume the power to surrender Uie lawful rights of its membership to combine with other workers forfiawful purposes. Further, having been told by the Post-master-General that the Government’s embargo on affiliation being carried out is a question of policy, and does not in any way challenge the legality of affiliation, the officers of the Association are directed to arrange for the presentation of a petition to Parliament, praying for (lie withdrawal of tlie Government’s embargo, on the grounds that it is not right to intimidate any section of citizens to surrender a measure of their free, lawful rights, under the threat of victimisation.”