POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17693, 2 August 1919, Page 7

POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS.

CONTINUATION OF CONFERENCE. SOME IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 1. Continuing his addnses at the Post and Telegraph Officers' Conference the president (Mr J. Mulvey, of Wellington) urged the compulsory retirement of okter officers. The Government, he said, should not have the slightest compunction in retiring these old officers, and' lie belicvjd that there was already, sufficient authority to retire them without any special legislation. The position was very acute and probably worse in their department • than in any other. While saying this he would like to add that if the present secretary, who had reached the age limit, could be retained until after reclassification had been absolutely cleared up, he believed it would be to the benefit of the service as a whole. Ho was strongly of opinion that the positions of president and member of the Promotion Board - should be held by separate and distinct persons. This was especially U2cessary when the real work of classification began. A motion was discussed that a referendum bo taken throughout the service as to the advisability of affiliating with the New Zealand Labour Party. The motion provoked a long and lively discussion. Those supporting the motion pointed out that the last conference passed a motion plaiming full civic and political rights, and that the corollary to that motion was that the association should link up with the Labour Party.

Those against the referendum expressed the opinion that members should bo left free to support any party. The motion was lost.

A motion of censure was passed on those members who were agitating in the direction of forming a separate association. A motion of censure on the Executive Committer for failing to provide assistance to Auckland members with their appeals was brought forward, but was not endorsed by the conference, the opinion being expressed that the executive had don© everything in its power to meet an unfortunate and unexpected emergency. It was resolved —" That this confcsrenco views with great disfavour the resolution of censure passed by the Auckland section on the Executive Committee."

A motion that the headquarters of the association be removed from Wellington was lost.