TELEGRAPH OPERATORS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8345, 4 February 1913, Page 11

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS

To tho Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir,—As can only be expected, telegraph operators were greatly amused at tho light manner in which the secretary of the P. and T. Department passed over tho scarcity ot operators when beihg interviewed by a representative of a local paper yesterday, and as one operator was hoard to remark, drawing a red herring across tho scent.” Tim scarcity of operators is attributable to the very unsatisfactory conditions obtaining in the telegraph branch at the present time. Operators are only too willing to take any employment, as long as they can get away from the telegraph branch, hence tho exodus of “ambitious young men” for the wireless. Some of the operators, however, are not quite so ambitious but are desirous of getting a living wage, which they can command in Sydney; instead of a. pittance boro, facetiously called a salary hy the department; also to avoid the many superfluous examinations they aro required to pass , , Take a telegraph cadet, for instance, Who has just received his appointment. He starts off at £SO per annum, and goes on to £llO per annum. There he is met by a barrier in the shape of a cadet’s technical examination in electricity and magnetism. After negotiating this hurdle ho goes on to £165 per annum, where ho bumps up against another hurdle —more electr'eity and magnetism. Then he goes on to £2OO per annum, Where still another barriei blocks his way—yet more electricity and magnetism. He is right then to reach the telegraphist’s maximum salary of £220 per annum. If he wishes to go beyond this he has still another examination to pass; and this one is equal to an expert electrician’s examination. Why all these examinations are required Vit is hahi. to determine, for in an operator’s daily routine, ho does not require all this knowledge he has gained (and in many cases forgotten again), and even if he attempted to us© it, he woiild most likely be called upon to “please explain” the following morn?’hen again, tliere are the Sundays and holidays on which wo are called upon to work and receive very little compensation. If young operators were given a living wage, and some of tho examinations were done away With, tho department need never lie afraid of a scarcity of bperatdrs. Just imagine a youhg fellow twenty years of ago trying to live on the handsome “salary” of £6.65. 3d per month. It’s an existence, nothing more. ' “Ambitious yomlg men” and . “sickness”! Oh, ye gods and little fishes!—l am, etc., OPTB OP THE BHOYS. ■Wellihgtbn, January 31st.