P. & T. DISCONTENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1920, Page 5

P. & T. DISCONTENT.

DEMAND FOR BETTER PAY. NO GOVERNMENT ACTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The conference of thirty representatives of branches of the Post and Tele* graph Officers' Association met this morning, under the presidency of Mr. J. H. Mackenzie (Hastings). The agenda paper includes discussion on matters recently placed before the Prime Minister by the P. and T. deputation, to which no reply has been received, viz.:— (1) The demand for an increase in the basic wage to bring it up to the spending value of 1914. (2) The outstanding war bonus promised by Sir Joseph Ward. The annual report shows the membership totals 6750. The balance sheet discloses receipts amounting to £4215, while the expenditure was £2871. Discussing, the cost of living, the report states: "The continued rise in the cost of living has been a regrettable feature of the year. Profits are still being piled on profits, with no check or hindrance worthy of the name so far as the consumer is concerned. The announcement of a cost of living bonus did not ease the tension, because almost coupled with it came an announcement' that the cost of living in twelve months had risen from 27 per cent, to 62 per cent." The report concludes: "Members- are asked to consider whether the time has not arrived when the Government should be faced with the logic of the position, and asked in printed terms 'what is going to be done about it?' "

THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE. SOME UNEASINESS FELT. Wellington, Last Night. So far no definita reply has been received from the Prime Minister to the representations made to him on May 4 last. In a letter dated June 7 Mr. Massey states that the Government has no desire to delay action on the important matters brought forward at the May interview, but he hopes the association will understand it is not possible to deal finally with the requests until the matters in dispute with the railway employees aTe disposed of. This letter has not come Up for discussion yet, but considerable uneasiness has been expressed, as the P. and T. Association has had no opportunity of icing heard, and it is thought possible the settlements arrive;! at by the railway tribunals will definitely affect the questions raised by the P.. and T. Association, excluding, of course, the outstanding portion of the war bonu3 promised by Sir Joseph Ward when he was Minister of Finance in the National Government.