“ £. S. D.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10617, 16 June 1920, Page 5

“ £. S. D.”

TOPIC OF THE MOMENT STRAIGHT TALK TO 1\ AND T. OFFICERS. “The most interesting topic to-day Is C s. d.,” said Air A. T. Alarkman (who was recently appointed first assistant secretary to the Rost and Telegraph Department), at the annual smoke concert of the association, which was held last night. “To my mind, it is of no use comparing tlio salary of ten years ago or more with what is required at the present time. We are in the position of taking tilings as wo find them ; and the question Wf pay requires to be dealt with on the present cost of living. I have no hesitation in saying that, taking that cost as it is to-day, and as it has been for some considerable time, some increase of income is necessary to permit of you and your families living in reasonable comfort, and at the same time putting a -little by to meet contingencies which are. bound to come from time to time. 1 do not, liowevor, intend to pursue that matter further, as that is. a (Question between yourselves, the Prime Alinister, and the Postmaster-General. But I have no doubt that when a decision has been arrived at you will be satisfied, and if yon arc fortunate enough to receive what you ask for. or something equal, I look forward to contentment, and naturally a higher standard of work from all concerned. I sav this because it is a phase of tbo question that appeals to me. If those of you who are what may be called sub-managers of the association at the different centres were satisfied and contented, d.o you not think that tha department would, derive the benefit of vour mental and physical energies displayed in some other direction? A SENSE OF PROPORTION.

“It has always been the practice ot tbo departmental administration to view your requests from your point of view as well as from the .other side. If the department did not, you would not now be enjoying the privileges which you do. But let me asjc this: Do you view your requests from a departmental point of view ? I am afraid not, in some cases, at all events. For instance, some of you will remember that years ago no overtime was payable unless an officer performed duty in excess of 96 hours a fortnight. Then the department reduced that to 48 hours per week, a distinct advantage, as you will all realise. Subsequently you pressed for a reduction to 44 hours a week. Well, the latest request is for overtime after seven hours daily. To bo candid with von, I am entirely opposed to that. ‘ If you wore a number of men being paid bv tho hour for your labour, with no rights privileges, and concessions, you would be entitled to it. But surely it is not suggested that von should work under tho same conditions as those paid by the hour for their labour? Now, I would suggest to you that in making a. claim for tho payment of overtime in excess of seven hours daily you are not giving .one thought to the department’s side of the question. I put it to yon this way: For a week a large number of you will work from six hours to six hours forty-five minutes daily, inclusive ot your smoke spoil, and perhaps three or four hours on the Saturday. This continues month 'in and month out. Now, do you consider that you are warranted in .asking for overtime if public business requires your attendance on very rare occasions for eight or nine hours per day? PRIVILEGES AND CONCESSIONS.

“I do think the association appears to overlook the_ many privileges and concessions received. Does a man outside, . who receives a fixed wage, enjoy anything like tho privileges and concessions you do? 1 think tho answer is ‘No.’ I do not like to have our officers compared with some organisations. There is no comparison. What happens to the Wages man if he becomes sick? Does he receive full pay for several months, half-pay for a like period, and quarter-pay for several mouths more? Bet me refer to the leave of absence granted to permit all you delegates being boro this evening. Then there is the collection of your subscriptions by the department, free postage on your correspondence, including the passage of tho ‘Katipo’ through the post. How many hundreds" of pounds does that amount to per annum? There are many others, but I have said suhicient’ to demonstrate what I mean, that is to say, if your salary question is satisfactorily settled there should bo satisfaction all round. I have spoken freely, and with nil good sincerity, with the hope that some good will eventuate. I have already given yon my views on the salary question, and as you are no doubt well acquainted with statistics concerning thntq mater, I will not tiro you with talking of that.”