P. & T. UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1920, Page 5

P. & T. UNREST.

WAR SERVICE PAYMENTS. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. By Telegriph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The unrest in the Post and Telegraph Department was the subject of some remarks by the Postmaster-General. He 6aid that the officials' claims would be dealt with as soon as consideration of the railwaymen's case had been concluded. Referring more particularly to the demand by many members of the P. and T. service who went to the war as active combatants to be placed on an equal footing with others who joined the postal and signalling corps, and in consequence received half civilian pay, the Minister said he symps.thised with those who had not received half pay. It was a very unfair thing# to make this difference, and obviously the grant of half •pay to one section of the service and not to the other should not have been made. "It was done and there is. an end of it so far as I am concerned," said Mr. Coates. "I would be pleased if I could plaice all men on an equal footing, but the Government has considered the matter on several occasions, and the position is that we cannot make a concession. Personally I would certainly like to see those men who fought in the ranks get half civil pay; because I think they deserve it more than the men who went away with the postal corps, that is, having Tegn.nl to the difference in their duties. I say this as a matter of prinoiple, and not that I agree with the granting of civil pay in the first instance."