THE LETTER-CARRIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8353, 13 February 1913, Page 6

THE LETTER-CARRIERS

It Is satisfactory to know that the temperate, well-judged article appearing in yesterday’s “ Times ” concerning tho Wellington' letter-carriers has already led to official action being taken. The grievances which tho men are said to suffer are of a nature that should be quite simple of adjustment if the matter is approached in the right spirit. As the authorities have promised to make inquiries and the Chief Postmaster has practically undertaken to make a definite statement in a few days as to what shall be done, no doubt the public will be relieved for the time being. We should like to hope that the men concerned will share in this feeling of reassurance, hut'it would be rather sanguine in tho circumstances to build upon that. Indeed, the method which has been adopted in order to ascertain the number and character of the grievances does not commend itself as calculated to produce the best permanent results. All the members of the letter-carrying staff were yesterday instructed to sign a document stating individually if they had grievances, and, if so, to describe them; in the alternative they were to say they had nothing to complain about. This is rather an intimidating mode of procedure in respect of men depending for their livelihood upon continuance of work at moderate wages, and it is not surprising that the great majority took tho negative course. A far better and fairer plan would have been to have invited tho men to meet together, discuss the position, and then make adequate representations to those in authority. However, the main thing at present is that inquiry is officially promised.