POSTAL OFFICERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 128, 4 May 1925, Page 12

POSTAL OFFICERS

SECRETARY'S POSITION DISCUSSED. 9 Par Preii Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. At a special general meeting of the Canterbury section of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, to consider the question of agreeing to allow the general secretary, Mr H. E. Combs, to stand for Parliament, and the rescinding of the resolution to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour, Mr H. B. Ward presided over a small attendance. The chairman moved: “That this section, recognising Mr Combe’s work and ability and believing that, irrespective of party, lie would be an asset to Parliament, extends him cordial good wishes for his success at the forthcoming general election ; that Mr Combs’s services as permanent secretary bo retained in the, meantime, should lie be successful in gaining political honours in December next; and that 112 days’ accumulated leave be granted Mr Combs ns early os possible. This section is of opinion, however, that any such accumulation of leave is wholly undesirable and strongly urges the executive committee to guard against any repetition of this in future; that thin section, recognising that the association consists of approximately 8000 members, with widely differing views on matters political and otherwise, is strongly adverse to the use of the Katipo for party propaganda and advises the executive accordingly.” The chairman deprecated the Wellington section’s attack on Mr Combs, who had done good work for the association. Political rights hod been advocated by the association, and this being the case it was unfair to deny Mr Combs such right himself, since he had placed his resignation in the hands of the association. .

The motion was passed after some discussion on the last clause, the opinion being expressed that the columns of the Katipo had been used too much in the past for political purposes. The opinion was also expressed that there was room for considerable improvement in the matter published in the magazine. The chairman moved that the executive take steps to rescind the motion relative to the decision to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour. In doing so, he submitted that instead of gaining anything by deciding to uffiliate with the Alliance, members had, in fact gone back. Mr Turner said there was no chance of any Government in future allowing public servants to join up with an outside Labour organisation, owing to the confidential nature of their work. Tho only way to get their grievances seen to was through members of Parliament. If there was a strike at any time, the commercial community would get together and break it, as the telegraphs were essential to them. The alliance was described by Mr Lawrence aa a useless body, of no service to Labour and of no U9e to the association, lie knew it would hot be acceptable to the Government if the whole body of public servants were placed under the Arbitration Court, but he hoped this would never come about as it would not benefit the association.

As the meeting had then dwindled to less than a quorum, the matter will have to be decided at a later date.