P. & T. UNREST

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10608, 5 June 1920, Page 3

P. & T. UNREST

REFERENCE BY POSTMASTERGENERAL.' PERSONAL OPINION AND GOVERNMENT DECISION. PEK TBESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. Juno 4. Tho unrest in the Post and Telegraph Department was the subject ol tsoiue remarks bv the Postinaster-Gene*' ral. ilesaid thalb tho officials' olairas would be dealt with as soon as consideration of tho raiUvaamen's case liadi been concluded. JLtciierriiig more particularly to tho demand by many members of the ¥oa» and Telegraph &ervice who went to the war as active combatants to bo placed on an equal foaling with others who joined tile Postal) ajid Siftnalling Corps and in consequence received half civilian nay, tho Minister said ho sympathised with those who had not reeeived half pay. It was a very unfair tiling to make this difference, and obviously u giant of half pay to one section of tho service and not to another should not have been made. It was done and there was tho cm]'of it-

"So far as I am concerned." Raid Mr Cbatos, "Ii would bo pleased, if 1 could, to replace all the men on an equal footinii. bub the Government haa considered the matter on several occasions, and the position is that wo cannot make the concession. Personally, I would certainly like to see those men who fought in the ranks got halt civil pay, because I think they deserve it, more than men who went away with the Postal Corps; that is having; regard to tie. difference in their duties. 1 sav this as a - matter of principle, not ithat I agreei with the granting of civil pay in the first instance."