GOOD RESPONSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 8

GOOD RESPONSE

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT FEW RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED Since the outbreak of war there have been 755 enlistments by officers of the Post and Telegraph Department. This statement was made in an interview yesterday by the Post-master-general, Mr F. Jones, who said that at present the department had 524 officers serving with the forces, while a further 176 were awaiting orders to go to camp. “There has been a good response in the department to the call for volunteers.” the Minister said, “ and with few exceptions no restrictions have been placed on the release of officers of 21 years of age and over who have volunteered for service overseas. Every effort is being made so to arrange the staffing of the department as to provide for the maximum number possible being released in the future as the need continues.” Conserving Man-Power Mr Jones added that, with a view to conserving man-power, the department had utilised the services of supernumerary officers to the greatest possible extent, and wherever practicable officers released for war service had been replaced internally without numerically increasing the staff by new appointments. This action, of course, had thrown an„ additional burden upon the remainder of the staffs at a number of offices,' and he was gratified to say that in the spirit of service employees had not been found wanting, all cheerfully and willingly responding to the extra demands made upon them. That they would continue to give of their best he had not the slightest doubt. Reduction In Staff “ That good results have been achieved in this effort to economise in man-power will be appreciated, Mr Jones said, “ when it is revealed that immediately prior to the outbreak of war, the total numerical strength of the staff stood at 11,499, while to-day this figure has been reduced to 11,142, excluding those officers who have been released for military purposes. This represents a decrease of 357 officers, in the working strength over the period during which we have been at war.”