P. AND T. EMPLOYEES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1030, 22 July 1930, Page 11

P. AND T. EMPLOYEES

FORMATION OF NEW ORGANISATION MOVEMENT IN WELLINGTON A new movement, emanating from high executivo officers in Wellington, is a foot to split the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association by the formation of an organisation of controlling officers, drawing salaries of £320 and upward, under the style of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Guild. Following secret meetings of the promoters in Wellington, notices have been forwarded to practically all controlling officers of the department, inviting them to link up with the new body. The situation in Auckland will be considered at a meeting of members of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association next Tuesday evening.

This statement was made today to a Sun representative by an official of tho Auckland section of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, in discussing the objects of the new body. Tho plan to form a new organisation apparently arose from the fapt that tho association was not functioning in accordance Avith the desires of certain of the Wellington officers, the official stated. The present organisation, the control of which Avas vested entirely in a committee of controling officers of the department, was naturally against any change. He emphasised that there was nothing in the objects of the proposed guild that could not be asked for and attained through the present association. “WHOLLY UNNECESSARY” The officers of the present Dominion executive consider the new organisation is AA r holly unnecessary and entirely contrary to the principles of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association,” he said. The Dominion executive also maintained that it Avas the duty of every member loyally to support the present association. So far, it is understood, the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department has Avithheld his recognition of tho new organisation until such time as the guild can prove its objects are wortry. In any case the issue Avill probably bo fully discussed at a meeting of the Dominion executive in Wellington on August 5, Avhen the formation of the neAV body is likely to be the feature of the proceedings. SHROUDED IN MYSTERY A circular dealing Avith the proposed secession states that the proposal to create another organisation of Post and Telegraph employees, the membership of which is to be exclusively draAvn from the ranks of executive officers, has been launched Avith dramatic suddenness, so far as 99 per cent, of the service is concerned. No notices or manifesto were issued and tho whole proceedings were shrouded in mysetry. On Friday, July 11, the circular states, senior officers met in Wellington, but what transpired behind the closed doors of the Chief Postmaster’s room has not yet been re- \ r caled. The general secretary of the Post and Telegraph Employees' Association, Mr. J. 11. McKenzie, applied for permission to attend a further meeting on July 13, but the request was declined. Tho circular proceeds to state that the Chief Postmaster, Mr. McLean, had told tho secertary of tho association in an interview that the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department had not been approached about tho formation of the guild or for permission to hold meetings. The circular adds that the names of those associated as prixpo movers with the formation of tho neAV organisation AA’ere Messrs. J. McLean and S. A. Ogilvie, both of Welington. Tho next development, according to tho circular, Avas a meeting of controlling officers in Wellington on July 18, Avhen it was decided to form a branch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Guild, membership of which is to bo confined to officers receiving £ 320 and upward. One of the objects of the guild, it is stated, is to look after the interests of controlling officers and to co-operate with tho department. It is suggested that the two organisations will meet the needs of the service.

Tho provisional committee set up in Wellington includes:—Messrs. J. McLean, E. V. Rudman, R. B. Reynolds, F. H. Guinness, A. E. Frederic, H. If. It. Greer, F. Wilton, H. A. Lamb. 11. Miller and R. L. ToAvnsend.