P. & T. OFFICERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10617, 16 June 1920, Page 3

P. & T. OFFICERS

AWAY PROM DULL CARE. AN ENJOYABLE SMOKE" SOCIAL.' Tho No'.v Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, Wellington Branch, again met at a smoke social last night, and the occasion \cas taken to enterrain the visiting delegates to the annual conference. All .there wereso many that the accommodation... was taxed sorely, enjoyed themselves immensely. At tho outset Mr M. Cum* mins, the chairman, intimated - that he had received apologies for absence from the Prime Minister, tho Hon, W. F. Massey, and the lion. J. Gordon Coates, Postmaster General. Accordingly -there was much regret. Many toasts wore honoured, and those responsible for songs wore Messrs A. E. F. Charles. W. Goudie. J. Carr. A. Loftus, J. Connell, Len.. Power, and V. Harris.

The toast of “The Department” was proposed by* Dr 'A. H. Newman. M.P. ’lor Wellington East. He said that he had watched their trouble with a great deal of interest, and he appreciated the hard times they had had, especially dur. ing tho war period. He believed that it would be settled to their satisfaction in the near future. Everybody recognised the great work of the P. and T. Department. Tho officers were wonderfully efficient, and! it was largely due to their efforts that the business of tho Dominion was carried on satisfactorily. Ho had much pleasure in proposing the toast, and wishing every member of the department every success in the future. Mr R. B. Morris, Secretary to the P. and T. Department, in responding, said that ho appreciated what had been said by Dr Newman alwut the efficiency of. the department. He believed the service was second bo none in the world. Certainly there- wore defects, but what department was perfect? He wanted to assure the officers that it would be his endeavour to carry on the work which had j ust been relinquished .by bis brother. If it were within his power to remedy any of their grievances—and he know they had grievances—then ho would work to that end. They could rest assured about that. He hoped that when the increases came out everybody would be satisfied. Mr A. T. Markma.n, first assistant secretary, - endorsed tho remarks of Mr Morris, and said that for the next six months, during the absence of Mr Morris at Madrid, where he was going to attend an. important conference connected with postal matters, it would fall to his lot to doal with matters affecting their welfare. Ho would always be pleased to discuss with their representativea - any questions which could bo more satislactorily settled in that way than by correspondence. Oilier toasts honoured were Iho King,” proposed by the chairman; "Parliament,” proposed by Mr H. Huggins, and responded to by Colonel G. A. Mitchell and Messrs R. A. Wright and P. Fraser, M.P.’s: "The Association, proposed by Mr G. McNamara, and responded to bv Messrs J. 11. McKenzie and H. E. Combs; "The Delegates.’? proposed by Mr J. J. Mnlvoy. am*, responded to by Messrs W. H. G. Brown and L. Hills; "Kindred Associations," proposed by Mr R. ■B. Reynolds. and responded to by Mr A. Dnvys; and “The Ladies,” proposed by Messrs J. D. Burns and L. A. Burns.