SHORTAGE ACUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8346, 5 February 1913, Page 8

SHORTAGE ACUTE

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS DISCONTENT IN THE STAFF. A paragraph published in the “Times” last week, calling attention to tho scarcity of competent and experienced telegraph operators at Wellington, has provoked a good deal of discussion and publicity to the question. The official allegation, printed in a local paper, that the staff at the Wellington office was normal at the present time has excited ridicule among those most intimately concerned, and tho fact that discontent exists among the staff was proved by additional resignations on Saturday last. Tho staff is now shorthanded, and, as was stated in tho “Times,” employment could be found for another score of operators. Young fellows on low salaries have been carrying the burden of the work, and tho fact that the department has sought experienced and skilled men in other parts of tho Dominion with a view of inducing them to come to Wellington, is an indication that some uneasiness has been felt in official quarters, Tho simple fact, as stated by one of tho officers, is that competent and experienced men have resigned in numbers greater than permitted of their prompt replacement by men of equal ability and skill. CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION. One of the grievances felt by tho telegraph operators is the fact that tho department has ceased to recognise the senior civil service examination. Till recently, an operator who passed this examination was rewarded with a double increment in his annual salary. That tho staff was ambitious and eager for advancement is indicated by the number of operators who studied and passed this examination. Every inducement with any advantage from the point of view of remuneration, was gladly seized. But zhe department no longer recognises this examination. “Presumably,” said one officer, “too many young fellows qualified, and tho department found that it was too expensive. Now that there is no inducement, hardly any of the operators bother about the examination. There are vexations examinations in electricity and magnetism, and telegraph engineering, at various stages, but none of these tests are recognised by the department for increments of salary. Moreover, they have small hearing upon the practical work of telegraph operators.” The shortage is now reported to be acute, and something will require to he done to maintain an efficient service. The operators are seriously thinking of forming a union, with a view of iranroving the conditions and remuneration of their employment. Resignations, it is said, will still occur unless the work is made more attractive, and the fact that young fellows who graduated in the Dominion are now doing well as wireless operators, or telegraphists at cable stations and in Australia, indicates that the standard of competence and skill in the New Zealand service is high. Nothing has been said against the value of the training the men receive in New Zealand but it i c pointed out that the Oamaru gallery cannot possibly, in itself, relievo the shortage at Wellington. Youths drafted from the gallery must obtain their experience at country stations before they can take charge of lines in a busy office like Wellington; this requires time; and meanwhile the demand for skilled men is felt at the busy centres. Not tone in Wellington is the shortage felt; the offices at Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland would be glad to have a few more competent men.