P. AND T. OFFICERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 7

P. AND T. OFFICERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE IMPORTANT MATTERS: PAY, BONUS, AND COST OF LIVING. , The annual Dominion conference ot representatives of branches of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association was opened at the Oddfellows’ Hall yesterday, tho president. Air J. If. AloKenzie (Hastings), occupying the chair. There were also present: Alessrs R. B. Rcynolds{ senr. vice-president), L. L. Hills, (vice-president), AV. H, XL Brown (vicepresident), It. W. Parnell (Auckland), R. H. Brown (Auckland), H J. Pearse (Thames), V. S. Harris (AVaikato), J Toner, T. J. Morrison (Napier). AV. H. Coleman (New Plymouth), J. Hogg, H. H. Buawn (Wanganui), R. E. AVilliams (Wairßapa), F. Rear (Manawatu), K. K. Couper, J. D. Bums, At. Cummins CWellington). AV. J. Smith (Gisbornc)i J. E.■ Dempsey (Blenheim), S. J. Coud (Nelson). AV. Elliott (Westport), AVm. Duncan, R. F. McKay (Christchurch), T. Steele (Otimaru), J. V. McKenzie (Timaru), XV, Trewern, AV. R. McKenzie (Dunedin), G. Buniows (Invercargill), M. P. O’Leary (Auckland), C. E. Collins (Nelson), G. C. Paterson (AVellington) Owing to tbe late arrival of the £outliwn delegates, due to tbo delay bf tbo ferry steamer, only tbe question of organisation was dealt with, but a commencement of tbe ordinary business will be made this morning. THE PRINCIPAL BUSINESS A MATTE®. OF SALARY. Tbo principle business, an application for a pro rata increase in tbe basic salat \- to bring it up to tbo spending value of 1D14,‘ will take procedure. So far no definite reply has been received from tho Frimo Minister to tbo representations made to him on behalf of the association on May -Itb last. * In a letter, dated June 7th, Mr Masse;/ stated that the Government had no desire to delay action on the important matters brought forward at the May interview, bub he expressed tbe hope that tbo association would understand it was not possible to deal finally with the requests until the matters in dispute wiih tbo railway employees bad been disposed of, ‘ This letter has not come up for discussion yet, but considerable uneasiness has been expressed bv, members of the association, as the P. and T. Association has bad no opportunity of being beard, and it is thought possible tho settlements arrived at by tbe railjray tribunals will definitely affect the questions raised by tbo I*.. and T. Association, excluding, of course, tbo outstanding portion of the war bonus promised to the post aud •telegraph service by Sir ."Joseph Ward when be was Minister for Finance in tho National Government. THE ANNUAL REPORT . VAEIOUS SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED. The annual report to be presented at tlie conference of delegates of the Zealand Post and. Tlegrapb Officers Association, which is being bejel in Wellington at present, is an interesting document I tliait dbafts, amongst other matters, with the following items ot interest:— COST OF LIVING. •

The continued rise -in the cost of living has-been tho regrettable'feature o tbo year. Profits are still being piled on profits, with no check or hindrance, worthy of tho name, so. far as the consumer is concerned. In common wi-Uj all fixed-salaried people, 'the decreased usefulness of the pound sterling has hit oar members hard, and more than once stirred them to a high pitch of resentment.* The announcement of a ‘ west of Living” bonus did not ease the tension because almost coupled with it came an announcement from the same source (the Government) that the cost of living 'in Ithe Involve months mad risen from 27 per cent. (1919 reclassification basis) to 62 per cent, (assessed by Board of Trade) in the twelve months. To ask married officers to accept one shilling and single officers sixpence' per clay (0 . per cent., and per cent, respectively) as adequately bridging tbo ’ gap (35 per cent.) was ridiculous, but when one lakes into account the general belief that if tho Board ol Trade had announced an increase of 100 per cent, it would -bo nearer the mark, one can only wonder at tho patience and forbearance that was shown. OUTSTANDING AVAR BONUS.

So far tbe desired finality has not beeii reached on this important question. Undoubtedly, the bonus was promised as claimed bv tbe association, and equally nndobuitedly thto (present Government was committed by the Prime Minister (in. the House and subsequently) to . a practical recognition of the moral claim wo have always relied on. Whether tho pledge is to bo honoured or broken has still to bo seen, but I can assure members that all that could be possibly dono has been done, by the association to secure members’ just rights in this connection. HALF-PAY. This matter gained considerable prominence during the year, and a petition was presented to Parli invent asking for all post and telograpT soldiers to bo treated alike. Unfortunately for- tho petitioners, the case was gone into during tho closing hours of a busy session, und they did not get the consideration their case deserved. Since then they have joined together as a Half-pay League aud have approached members of Parliament, direct. The replies have been encouraging, and it is hoped the coming session will see special activity on tiio pant of our Parliamentary friends. T think I can safely assure tho men .concerned that the association will tuko a lively interest in their claims, and they can depend on thorough-going support. RIGHT OF APPEAL. . was in session a successful effort was made to have this right cover grievances arising out of promotions. Tiio proposition was a sound one, and as such, secured the lively aasistamie of many M.P.’s. Unfortunately, although your representatives had the best possible assurance (the’ Post-uia.stcr-Gonoral’s) that tiio point was safeguarded, 'file right was not made retrospective. AA’o have still, therefore, to secure this measure ot justice for some 20 members —and, consequential, ly, two nou-members. No doubt,your conference will supplement the efforts already made by tbe executive to protect those affected. POWER OP BOARD.

As was anticipated last year, when ro. classification was the bone of contention, the Appeal Board proved powerless to alter, the, principle on which the reclassification was applied to the service. It did, however, secure for numerous appellants tbo strict application of the system adopted to individual cases. Its work in this connection was most valuable, and I say so with au intimate knowledge of what was done. The thanks of appellants in particular, and members generally are duo to ilio board for services rendered. The task was a formidable one, and was overtaken with a minimum of friction and u maximum of consideration and courtesy. COMPULSO-R-Y RETIREMENT.

No direct progress lias been made in our eflorts in secure tins provision in Mui regulations, but a great, many morn people mo turning their thoughts in this direction, mid we look forward to, an early day when tho whole public ser-

'vice will present a united request foi this desirable reform. WIDOWS’ FUND.

Following ou the lamentable experience of 1918 when funds had >to be hurriedly raised to assist the dependents of victims Uf the 'influeuzai epiidianc, last conference .established a widows’ fund, and allocated one penny per month per member out of the now subscription to that purpose. The fixed donation of- £2O waa sent to twelve widows during the year, and members will have the satisfaction of knowing that not only were the grants gratefully received, but that their own dependents are now .protected to this extent for the future. The result of the year’s working has left a balance of £7B to the. credit of the fund, and the executive .will probably ask conference to make h larger allocation so that the fund'will be equal to any emergency that may arise. The balance-sheet shows that the income for the year amounted to £-1213 3s 7d, of which total .113776 12s 6d was received bv way of subscriptions, and ,£'l29 3s 3d bv advertising receipts. The excess of- income over expenditure was set down at £l3l-1 26 Id, which, amount had been transferred to the general fund, thus bringing it up to £2031 11s 2d.